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Argumentative Essay On Clickbait

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“22 Tips to Gain Weight FAST!” “You’ll Never Look at Barbie Dolls the Same Way After You See THIS Picture!” “Insurance Companies HATE this new trick!” We’ve all seen articles with similar headlines. In fact, they’ve gotten so common that we rarely think anything of them anymore. They’re all over the Internet - on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram. However, although they may seem rather pointless or annoying, there is a reason that journalists use clickbait to headline their articles. Justin Bariso argues that although nearly nobody enjoys seeing clickbait, journalists utilize it simply because it is effective, and people should be more understanding about it, as it is not pointlessly annoying. He strengthens his argument throughout the article …show more content…

However, he contrasts these long sentences with a short sentence: “They work.” This variety in syntax adds emphasis to what he is saying here. Although no one likes clickbait headlines, they are extremely effective, and pull people in. Bariso then adds reasoning to this claim by giving two example headlines for an article. The two options are “The 1 Company Perk That All Employees Crave (and It’s Completely Free)” and “How Praise and Commendation Increase Employee Engagement.” Adding this example proves his points, as the first article seems a lot more interesting than the second. It plays on curiosity, which then makes you more likely to read it. Bariso furthers his earlier claim by stating that he did use the first headline as the headline for an article, and it was one of his most popular articles. This provides direct evidence that clickbait is, in fact, extremely …show more content…

However, this time, he uses direct evidence and sources. He uses data from the New York Times, stating that changing the headline of an article can “increase readership of articles by up to 1,677%.” This is a huge number, and plays on astonishment, as you wouldn’t expect the number to be so high. It also plays on logic, however, as it’s understandable that the headline is so important. After all, the headline is the first thing you see, and is the deciding factor on whether or not you click on the article, so it makes sense for it to be significant to the number of reads on an article. Using a credible source also establishes Bariso’s credibility, as he has done research on this topic. By the end of his article, Bariso wraps up his argument, stating just how important the headlines are. He does address the counter-argument slightly, which adds to his own argument. He states that the only problem with clickbait is when the article itself doesn’t live up to its name. Clickbait is only worth it, in his eyes, if the article itself has quality content. If not, he agrees with the opposing viewpoint that clickbait is rightfully frustrating for readers. After wrapping up his argument, Bariso makes another reference to Seinfeld, and specifically towards the nemesis he spoke of earlier. “Take that, Newman.” This creates a humorous ending, giving you a laugh at

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