LastName 1

Student Name

Professor Jeannine Stanko

ENG. 101

1 December 2017

Flirting with Disaster

Is flirting beneficial? The authors of “Why We Flirt” believe “it can be a good thing”

(Luscombe and Stinchfield 553). In their writing, the authors discuss the purpose flirting plays in

the lives of everyday participants, from the attitudes behind flirting, to different ways the action Commented [JS1]: Omit comma

takes place. However, it is important for the reader to note the authors’ disposition toward

flirting throughout their article and how it correlates to the information they are presenting. In

lacking multiple causes for why a person may flirt, the writers try to maintain a positive position.

Still, at what cost? By ignoring causes, reasoning errors arise, errors which readers can likewise

find in the material. Not only reasoning errors are present but also ethical failures. The authors Commented [JS2]: Are reasoning errors present but also
ethical failures are too. #parallelism
force a positive outlook on a potentially dangerous list of actions, encouraging others to follow

their unethical advice. The article inquirers why people flirt, fails to consider several attitudes Commented [JS3]: inquires

and causes behind the actions of flirting, and produces reasoning errors and ethical failures. Commented [JS4]: good thesis

The purpose of “Why We Flirt” is to explain the actions and attitudes of flirting. Commented [JS5]: good

Informing their readers of several ways people flirt, the two authors express which actions are in

fact different ways of flirting: “It’s gestures, stance, eye movement. Notice how you lean

forward to the person you’re talking to and tip up your heels?” (Luscombe and Stinchfield 554).

Other examples of flirting are given as well, including women exposing the side of their necks

and both parties raising their eyebrows while looking at each other. Similarly, the authors

express the attitudes associated with flirting. It’s fun, it satisfies curiosity, it makes having sex
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easier, and it acts as a “handy social lubricant” (Luscombe and Stinchfield 556). Several

attitudes, or reasons why we flirt, are given, but many are also ignored, especially those with

negative implications. Varying actions and attitudes associated with flirting are used throughout

the article to help the reader catch a glimpse of the purpose: how (action) and why (attitude)

people flirt. Commented [JS6]: love this concluding sentence

Unfortunately, the article ignores multiple causes for flirting, which creates a significant

reasoning error, smudging the authors’ outlook. Without considering all the reasons, or causes, Commented [JS7]: good

behind any action, it is easy to form misconceptions. For instance, consider the statement:

“Flirting is a decaf affair, a way of feeling more alive, more vital, more desirable without

actually endangering the happiness of anyone you love” (Luscombe and Stinchfield 556). In

contrast, almost one-third of eighty-six participants in an online flirting chat room “went on to

have an affair” (Luscombe and Stinchfield 556). The authors fail to consider building one’s self-

esteem as a cause for flirting; therefore, they make a reasoning error by assuming that flirting

does not play into having an affair. This is especially shocking considering their comment:

“there’s little that feels less affirming than being cheated on” (Luscombe and Stinchfield 556).

Equally, an instrumental means to attain what is desired is another neglected cause for flirting.

People often flirt to take advantage of a situation or person. If the authors were to include both

negative causes for flirting, it would balance out their perspective and give pause to encouraging

others to flirt. However, the article ignores these causes, which results in a reasoning errors. Commented [JS8]: yuuuuup

Giving rise to an ethical dilemma and producing potentially unwanted consequences, the

authors force a positive outlook on flirting by uncovering only certain causes, turning readers Commented [JS9]: which turns

into victims of moral negligence. The audience may find themselves suffering unforeseen results

by acting upon the reading material. “Flirt the wrong way with the wrong person, and you run
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the risk of everything from a slap to a sexual-harassment lawsuit” (Luscombe and Stinchfield

556). The writers aren’t hiding possible negative effects involved with flirting; rather, they are

minimizing the risk involved in flirting by eliminating many of the causes which can result in Commented [JS10]: that

these adverse effects. “Whether the people who eventually cheated went to the site with the Commented [JS11]: FQ

intention of doing so or got drawn in by the fantasy of it all is unclear…. so go on ahead and

flirt…” (Luscombe and Stinchfield 556). Although the two statements are separated by a Commented [JS12]: No need for ellipsis at end of quote
(or in beginning either). It’s an assumption that the portion
you quote has info that proceeds and comes after
paragraph of material, it is still evident that the authors fail to acknowledge the cause of building

one’s self-esteem. Thus, they encourage an action which has the potential to raise moral concern.

Over and over the authors point out negative effects of flirting, but they fail to identify the causes Commented [JS13]: Reword – The authors point out
negative effects of flirting over and over again,
behind the results. Ethical failure imbedded in the text encourages married couples to increase

their chances of having an affair, encourages individuals to manipulate others, and encourages

readers to suffer the effects of any other causes yet uncovered. Commented [JS14]: Good content

Just because there are negative actions and attitudes involved with flirting does not mean

it lacks its benefits. Flirting is a great social tool, helping individuals better communicate with

one another. The purpose of “Why We Flirt” gives us different actions of flirting and several Commented [JS15]: POV
Commented [JS16]: Need a different word here…”about”
reasons regarding why, but it lacks balance. In order to explain the purpose of medicine, both the doesn’t work either….um, “related to”????

positive and negative results, as well as reasons for taking it and not taking it, would need to be Commented [JS17]: Omit comma
Commented [JS18]: Omit comma
presented. In the same manner, Luscombe and Stinchfield need to balance out the purpose of

their article by incorporating negative attitudes as well as the positive ones already given. Due to

the lack of negative causes, attitudes, or reasons behind flirting, the article jumps to conclusions

in support of the action. While in reality, it presents reasoning errors. Again, incorporating

negative reasons for flirting would help to balance the authors’ reasoning. It would also prevent
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readers from experiencing an ethical dilemma. Failing to incorporate negative attitudes for

flirting renders the purpose, reasoning, and ethics in “Why We Flirt” incomplete and misguided. Commented [JS19]: Once again, your essay is perfectly
structured. Tighten up a few minor grammar issues, and this
essay is perfect. Your content is on point – great analysis.
So, ya…your best essay 😉

MLA – 21 (FQ, ellipsis)

Intro – 15
Body – 15
Conclusion – 15
Grammar – 23
Total - 89
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Works Cited

Luscombe, Belinda and Kate Stinchfield. “Why We Flirt” Strategies for Successful Writing: a

Rhetoric and Reader. Edited by James A. Reinking and Robert Von Der Osten, Person,

2013, pp. 553-557. CCAC Student Website. <courses.ccac.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-

4359096-dt-content-rid-12223193_1/xid-12223193_1>. Accessed 29 November 2017.