Caitlin Dewey aims to convey her perspective on love, specifically her personal experience with relationships online versus in real life. Contrary to the common belief that love cannot thrive in mostly digital relationships, Dewey presents a compelling argument that is difficult to dispute. In the end, she shares her story to educate and convince readers about the nature of love in both virtual and physical settings.
Caitlin Dewey’s main goal is not to persuade readers about their views on love, but rather to share her personal experience and convey how circumstances can influence feelings. The article’s strength lies in its authenticity, as it is based on Dewey’s own encounter. Through her essay, she aims to provide readers with insight into her own understanding of love.
The article’s language is effective as its target audience consists largely of college students who are likely to connect with it. The narrative is highly convincing. In today’s world, it is common for individuals to encounter unfamiliar people at social gatherings or in class, only to later receive friend requests on platforms like Facebook. These individuals then attempt to strike up conversations and establish connections.
Many people, including myself, have had similar experiences where someone we barely know adds us as a friend and initiates conversations. Caitlin Dewey’s story is relatable to countless readers, as it parallels these common occurrences. Dewey, for instance, developed a regular online chatting routine with someone named Will. Through consistent communication on Skype, they gradually formed a close connection.
Caitlin Dewey, a college student, possesses expertise on the topic comparable to professional writers. While numerous individuals claim to be in love during high school or college, most lack a true understanding of love. Personally, I can connect with Caitlin Dewey’s personal experience as she too attempted a long-distance relationship while in college, mirroring my current situation.
Despite only meeting Will once before they began chatting, I have known my boyfriend for a long time. Regardless, this gives me insight into how she feels, and I can relate to both online and real-life relationships. She discusses how Will’s behavior differed in person compared to online, a perspective that aligns with the experiences of many people I have interacted with who act differently online compared to real life. Caitlin Dewey addresses the disparities between internet conversations and “in real life (IRL)” conversations in her essay.
According to Caitlin Dewey, people are attracted to the internet because they seek a safe and controlled form of intimacy. However, what they truly desire is something completely different. Dewey experienced this herself as she easily avoided Will online whenever she wanted, effectively avoiding any awkward situations. Moreover, she had the power to decide when to communicate with him and when not to. These factors present significant difficulties in personal interactions.
In both online and offline settings, Caitlin Dewey evokes emotions to express the dynamics between her and Will. Individuals who have had similar experiences can empathize with the emotional appeal of her narrative, highlighting the relatability of these sentiments towards both Internet and real-life relationships. Through rich descriptions, Dewey compels the audience to comprehend her profound emotions during various encounters. Notably, Dewey’s written piece relies minimally on factual information.
However, I was unaware that this specific story needed to appeal to logos on multiple occasions. Although Caitlin Dewey did provide factual support for her argument, the reliability of those facts was questionable as she mentioned that she had read that 90 percent of human communication is nonverbal without disclosing the source. Despite this lack of information on how she obtained these facts, it does not change my stance on the argument. It seems that Dewey’s intention was not to persuade her audience with facts but rather to inform them based on her own experience and opinions. Nonetheless, asserting that 90 percent of human communication is nonverbal may not be entirely accurate.
Despite the potential disagreement about the accuracy of supporting evidence, it is widely accepted that a substantial portion of communication in today’s technologically advanced society is nonverbal. The lack of specific claims from Caitlin Dewey does not undermine the credibility conveyed in her essay.
When it comes to experiencing feelings like “love” or “infatuation,” a recently graduated college student is seen as a credible source. If an elderly woman were the author, doubts about the relevance and credibility of her story in relation to contemporary experiences of young love might arise. Caitlin Dewey’s recent story is considered more reliable since it is likely to be current and relatable for those going through similar experiences.
Although Caitlin Dewey lacks professional writing experience, it would be unjust to brand her as an untrustworthy writer. This is because the events described in her essay were personally witnessed by her, and there is no indication that any of her experiences are untrue. A significant number of people who read or will read Dewey’s impactful article can identify with the story she tells. For example, most individuals have a social network where they engage in intentional or unintentional conversations, be it with familiar acquaintances or strangers. Additionally, many also have face-to-face interactions with these individuals.
Even without personal relationship experience, the reader can comprehend and empathize with the concept of real-life versus nonverbal communication. As this article is found in a college textbook, it is likely intended for college students as its primary audience. Therefore, the argument’s language effectively resonates with the reader. When familiar with its style and language, persuasive writing holds considerable influence.
The reader is more inclined to agree with an argument that they can easily comprehend and connect with, as they are already acquainted with certain approaches. For instance, if an argument is written in a time period that the reader is unfamiliar with or not from, they are more likely to disagree or find it unconvincing due to its complexity. Nevertheless, Caitlin Dewey’s writing adopts a first person informative narrative style which simplifies understanding the key points and allows readers to perceive the author’s perspective.
Caitlin Dewey’s writing piece effectively persuades readers due to its personal nature as a memoir. Her vivid depiction of her experiences leaves little room for contradicting her perspective on online and in-real-life relationships. Additionally, the author constructs a compelling argument supported by ample evidence and examples, effectively reinforcing her position on the subject.
