Jasmyne M.

Pettus

Professor Fielding

WRTC103

2/14/19

Rhetorical Analysis of Ansari and Klinenberg’s “How to Make Online Dating Work”

“WE turn to screens for nearly every decision…” (Ansari & Klinenberg, par. 1). The first

paragraph opens with a comedic approach of drawing the reader in. In The New York Times

article, “How to Make Online Dating Work” written by Aziz Ansari and Eric Klinenberg, the

authors speak their tips on how to be successful when dating online. Online dating has been

around for years but became increasingly popular in the recent years. Due to an increase use of

online dating, more and more people are able to say that they met their significant other online.

Although Ansari and Klinenberg effectively convince the audience that individuals should follow

their tips to make online dating work by using statistics and surveys paired with relatable and

comedic statements, readers may doubt Ansari’s credibility due to his lack of knowledge on this

topic.

In the article, “How to Make Online Dating Work”, Ansari and Klinenberg claim that if

the readers do not filter too much, take the “perfect” picture, give all their options a chance, and

keep swiping, then they (should) will be able to meet someone in person and develop a

connection with them. According to Ansari and Klinenberg, filtering too much is not realistic

because what people want does not align with what they are attracted to. Taking the “perfect”

picture is crucial since certain types of photos were effective in generating positive responses.

Also, having too many options to choose from hindered individuals’ satisfaction. Lastly, Ansari

and Klinenberg state that the more readers swipe through photos, the more likely they are to find
someone that interests them. When organizing ideas, Ansari and Klinenberg presents their facts

and opinions in a topical arrangement. The authors use a conversational writing style. The ideal

audience are the individuals who use online dating apps/websites. They target these individuals

because they are the only ones using these services and could benefit from using their tips.

Ansari and Klinenberg concludes that with these tips, readers could potentially make a

connection and settle down.

Throughout the article, Ansari represents himself as a comedian. Ansari states, “If you are

a woman, take a high-angle selfie, with cleavage, while you’re underwater near some buried

treasure.” (Ansari & Klinenberg, par. 15). This section of the article is there for some comedic

relief and to make fun of the types of pictures that are effective. Ansari does not have any

credentials as an authority of online dating. He majored in business at New York University and

is a stand-up comedian, as well as an actor and writer. Readers should not trust this author

because he is not authorized to speak on this topic unlike his co-writer. This takes away from the

appeal of ethos because readers typically want an expert on whatever topic they are researching,

not someone to make sly remarks.

While his co-writer, Aziz Ansari, might not be an expert on love and romance, Eric

Klinenberg certainly is. This author definitely represents himself well as he is a professor of

sociology at New York University. Some of the research projects he focuses on entails topics like

culture, media, and technology. In 2015, “Klinenberg was the coauthor, with Aziz Ansari, of the

#1 New York Times bestseller Modern Romance.” (Klinenberg, par. 4). This shows that these two

individuals have experience working with each other and have been successful. It also shows that

Klinenberg has knowledge on this topic and has authority to speak on this topic.
 On the other hand, Klinenberg and Ansari use strong logos appeals throughout the article

with several facts and statistics. They concentrated their evidence mainly on statistics, surveys,

and quotations from authorities. They open the article pointing out how in the past, couples met

without the means of technology. “In 1940, 24 percent of heterosexual romantic couples in the

United States met through family, 21 percent through friends, 21 percent through school, 13

percent through neighbors, 13 percent through church, 12 percent at a bar or restaurant and 10

percent through co-workers.” (Ansari & Klinenberg, par. 2). The authors continue with more

statistics: “…more than one-third of couples who married in the United States from 2005 to 2012

met online.” (Ansari & Klinenberg, par. 4). Both of these statistics show how much time has

really changed and how online dating has affected the ways people meet their significant other.

The numbers are two examples of many that help solidify the appeal of logos and influence the

audience to trust what they are saying.

Along with logos, the authors also have a strong appeal of pathos throughout the article.

The article starts off with a joke that builds itself in the introductory paragraph. “Where to eat.

Where to vacation. Where to eat on vacation. Where to get treatment for the food poisoning you

got at the restaurant where you at on vacation. Where to write a negative review calling out the

restaurant that gave you food poisoning and ruined your vacation.” (Ansari & Klinenberg, par. 1)

Starting off the article with humor draws the audience in and makes them want to keep reading.

This introduction also makes the reader imagine getting sick on vacation and wishing to have a

romantic partner to take care of them. Using humor throughout the article in the right spots

establishes a relationship with the reader and make them feel as though they are having a casual

conversation.
 Additionally, the authors choice of diction mainly evokes an emotional response of hope.

Using phrases such as, “about 50 million users”, “In a world of infinite possibilities”, and

“You’re just a few clicks away from this dream dude.” (Ansari & Klinenberg), gives the

audience hope that there is someone out there for them and all they have to do is go online. The

writers’ goal is to make the reader feel like their significant other on the internet or in an app.

Doing this encourages the audience to strictly pursue relationships online instead of meeting

people the old-fashioned way.

Finally, this article is relevant because online dating has become popular for almost

everyone. The article shows statistics on the percent of couples who found their significant other

online and tries to give the readers hope who might be struggling finding “love” on the internet.

Online dating is also very inclusive to those who identify themselves differently and anyone who

is not heterosexual. The authors are effective because they use various facts and statistics to back

up their opinions but can strengthen their argument by having both of them be authorities on this

subject.
 Works Cited

Ansari, Aziz, and Eric Klinenberg. “How to Make Online Dating Work.” The New York Times,

The New York Times, 13 June 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/06/14/opinion/sunday/how-

to-make-online-dating-work.html.

“Aziz Ansari.” IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/name/nm2106637/.

Klinenberg, Eric. “Eric Klinenberg.” NYU Wagner, wagner.nyu.edu/community/faculty/eric-

klinenberg.