To Future Students:

This class is very interesting and the assignments are very reasonable. For the assignment I changed, sequence 3, you will be learning how to write a persuasive paper by using rhetorical strategies. By picking a topic you are interested in, you can stand up for what you believe and state your position on the issue. The issue you choose should be related to activism, considering that is the theme for this entire class. A key tactic in this paper is to have a specific audience that you are speaking to. This should be clear throughout your paper or you should include a writer’s memo at the beginning to inform readers. After a semester in English 111, you will be able to communicate your ideas and won’t be afraid to express your opinion. In this class, you will also learn how to research certain topics using many different resources. Closer to the end of the year, you will be working with technology in order to create a public service announcement about a debatable topic. This is a very fun assignment even if you have never worked with imovie or moviemaker before.  It’s a great opportunity to express your creative side and show off your work to your peers. Overall, this class has multiple ways to express yourself throughout the 4 sequences. Although there are guidelines for each project, you have room to be creative and are encouraged to take assignments to the next level.

Writer’s Memo

Megan Strasser

This PSA video was created in order to inform the general public about the amendment put into place in 1972, Title IX. As shown by the video, this amendment was put into place in order to give women the opportunity to participate in athletics. I feel as if this amendment is not very well known; therefore, I wanted to show how women would not have these opportunities if Congress never passed it. This public service announcement is directed towards women, who have been discriminated against, and never had the opportunity to participate in certain activities. It is also directed towards the general public in order to show how Title IX has truly made progress throughout the years, and has opened up a whole new world for women. This video was created using sounds, images, and features to get the message across. First, the song “Life In Technicolor” by Coldplay was used as background music in order to give viewers the feeling of progression throughout the years. The voice over was used in order to provide more information to the views about the amendment and add more to the video as whole. The pictures used were picked out to represent a wide variety of sports and athletic teams. The graphics in the beginning were black and white and rustic looking and became more modern as the video progressed. There is an image shown with key words of the written amendment in order to allow viewers to understand the main idea of this amendment.  This was to show how far athletics have come since 1972.  Near the end of the video, a clip of a women’s athletic team is provided in order to show that women are very successful in athletics and if it weren’t for Title IX, this wouldn’t be possible. I think this video is very uplifting and cheerful. Women fought for their rights and pushed in order to receive rights equal to men. I think this video represents this idea very well. Overall, I hope people see how this amendment has changed the lives of many women.

Professor Blankenship

English 111

November 13, 2009

Writers Memo: This paper was written in order to show readers the importance of the law established in 1972, Title IX. Title IX has opened up numerous opportunities for women and has provided equality on the athletic field. This paper is directed towards women, who have been discriminated against, and never had the opportunity to participate in certain activities. I hope readers see how Title IX has opened up many doors for women and continues to improve equality today.

Take a couple seconds to think of your favorite sport to play.  What if you were allowed to watch men play that sport; however, you were not allowed to participate yourself? Before the year 1972, women had very limited rights. During the civil rights movement in the 1960s, many women became inspired to begin a new women’s movement in order to be treated fairly at school and in the workplace. In 1972, the United States Congress passes numerous important laws in order to give girls and women more opportunities. The most general of these laws was the Equal Rights Amendment. This was put in place to promote a change in the United States Constitution that would guarantee women the same rights that are provided to men. The amendment struggled to pass through the state legislatures and was eventually unsuccessful. Later that year, congress passed a law, which was not very well known, called Title IX. This law stated that any school that was receiving funding from the government couldn’t treat boys and girls differently based on their sex. This also meant that if schools sponsored sports for boys, they must also sponsor them for girls. This was the first time that women in the United States got to play on a real athletic field. This little, unknown law skyrocketed and started a revolution for women all over the country. In 1971, the number of boys participating in varsity sports was 3,666,917 whereas; the number of girls participating was only 294, 015. After the amendment was put into action, the number of women athletes drastically increased to 817,073. This significantly large change shows how many women were interested in athletic; however, they were not allowed to follow their dreams until this law was put into place. Along with bringing women the opportunity to participate in athletics, Title IX brought so much more. Simply focusing on sports only, this law brings out the less popular sports, and also provides women with considerably more scholarships for college athletics. Title IX has made a huge difference in the lives of female athletes and I believe it was necessary to be put into action and is still necessary today.

Title IX has opened up a new world for women athletes. Prior to the year 1972, women were not allowed to participate in sports at school unless their school provided a team; however, that rarely occurred. Tara VanDerveer, one of the nations best women’s basketball coaches craved the chance to participate in basketball during her childhood. In 7^th grade, the closest she got ever got to playing was participating in a “Play Day” with other schools that lasted just one day. In order to attend all the games she could, she volunteered to wear the mascot suit so she could watch the game from the sidelines (Blumenthal 9). This is just one example of how women were eager to get involved and did anything to get closer to athletics. In 1972, the women participating in college athletics was only about 15% of the students. By 2002, that number had already risen to 42%. Although the amount of women in athletics increased, women made up 55% of all students, but only 42% of all varsity athletes.  Today, women are participating in athletics that were not even offered 35 years ago. Since Title IX was put into action, 800 women’s teams have been added at the collegiate level. This number continues to rise as the effects of this law are still emerging. The progress towards men and women’s equality in the area of collegiate sports is slowing making process. Women in today’s generation are appearing to be stronger, and healthier than ever. “Women from all ethnic backgrounds are succeeding in high school, college, professional and Olympic sports” (Curtis). Jennie Gilbert, an associate athletic director that is also in compliance with the NCAA, believes that this law has changed things for the good. Gilbert believes it has not only allowed opportunities for athletes, but it has opened doors for women to pursue careers within the athletic realm. Overall, opportunities are opening up left and right for women, which is beginning to create equality between men and women on the athletic field.

When most people think of sports, the first thing that comes to their mind is usually football or baseball. This is due to the fact that football and baseball are two of the most popular sports to play and watch in the United States. “Football has always been the number one moneymaking sport at colleges and universities” (Garcia). But what happens to the sports that have been pushed away and don’t receive any publicity? Title IX has helped to bring about the less popular sports and give them the same benefits as sports that are always watched and played. “Federal law requires institutions provide opportunities, regardless of media popularity.  So universities are required to treat athletes equitably.  The athletes of less popular sports should have similar opportunities to pursue competitive challenges with similar resources as the more popular sports” (Gilbert). Colleges are now reducing the funding for men’s sports in order to fund and support women’s sports. This has brought women’s sports forward and has increased the amount of people that watch and attend female sporting events.

Title IX has created more opportunities for women to receive scholarships for collegiate athletics. Prior to Title IX, scholarships for women’s athletics were nearly non-existent. By 2003, there were more than $1 million dollars scholarships provided for women at Division 1 schools. Today, the number of scholarships given to women continues to increase each year. Many colleges are even looking to restore the gender imbalance in athletics. Colleges have begun to give out scholarships in extraordinary numbers in order to follow Title IX. “All schools receiving federal funding must now offer equitable financial aid to female and male athletes” (Gilbert). In some rare cases, colleges do not even end up spending their full allocation of scholarship money for athletics because not enough women suitable for a particular sport are available. (Garcia) Women must receive athletic scholarships proportional to the number of people participating in their particular sport.

Although this amendment has many positive aspects, many people disagree with Title IX. Their main concern with this law is that since there must be equality between the numbers of sports offered, valuable sports are being eliminated as a result.  Many athletes that attend smaller schools may possibly depend on a scholarship in order to have the opportunity to go to college. If their sport is eliminated, their chances of playing a sport, or even attending college have been abolished. Although this is clearly a negative aspect of Title IX, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages immensely. What it all comes down to is the fairness in the situation. If men are playing sports, so should women. If men are receiving publicity and funding, so should women. And finally, if men are receiving athletic scholarships, so should women. Along with the issue of fairness, there actually is an interest in female sports. Although football and baseball seem to be more popular, there are still people willing to watch a women’s game and see them compete.

Overall, Title IX has given women numerous opportunities and has created equality on the playing field. “Title IX truly changed the field of athletics for women. The amendment has provided more opportunities for female athlete participation, created better facilities, mandated more qualified coaching, more equitable travel procedures- but also opened the doors for women to continue their passion for sports into the career fields! Women and men now have opportunities to compete at high levels in an equitable fashion” (Gilbert).  Title IX has not only allowed women to participate in sports, but it has showed equality in the sense that less popular sports still receive the same benefits as sports that are watched everyday. Lastly, it has provided women with scholarships to follow their dreams and participate in collegiate athletics. Without Title IX, none of this would be possible and men would rule the court. In conclusion, I believe that the Title IX amendment is valuable and provides fairness across the board of not only athletics, but also career fields, and so much more. The opportunities for women athletics and coaches flourished mostly from the year 1974 through the 2000’s. However, today we are still fighting the battle of losing female role models in leadership positions. In the 1970’s approximately 90% of women’s college coaches were female. Today, that number has dropped to only 40% of females coaching women’s teams. Gilbert explains, “Salary increases for coaches of women’s teams are now financially attractive enough to draw men into the ranks – to the demise of the female leaders. We still have battles to fight…” (Gilbert). Although many find this law unfair, I believe it has served its purpose and should continue to help women fight for leadership positions and improve any gender discrepancies that arise in the future in athletics.

Works Cited

Anderson, Deborah, et al. “Gender Equality in Intercollegiate Athletics: Determinants of Title IX Compliance.” The Journal of Higher Education, Vol. 77, No. 2 (2006): 1-27. Medium.

Blumenthal, Jennifer. Let Me Play. New York: An Imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 2005. Print.

Curtis, Mary. “About Title IX.” Web. 27 October 2009.

Garcia, Adrian, and Elena Sarmiento. “Title IX Changed Women’s Sport.” Borderlands. (Spring 1997): EPCC Libraries. Web. 9 Nov 2009.

Gilbert, Jennifer. Personal Interview. 9 Nov. 2009.

Kane, Mary Jo. “The Post Title IX female Athlete in the Media: Things are Changing, but How Much?” Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. N60 n3 (1989): 58-62. Medium.

Oglesby, Carole, et al. “Women And Sport in America.” Pheonix: Arizona: The Oryx Press, 1998. Print.

Steeg, Jill Lieber. “Lawsuits, disputes, reflect continuing tension over Title IX.” USA Today, 13 Mar 2008. Web. 27 Oct. 2009.

Professor Blankenship

English 111

November 13, 2009

Women For Title IX

Take a couple seconds to think of your favorite sport to play.  What if you were allowed to watch men play that sport; however, you were not allowed to participate yourself? Before the year 1972, women had very limited rights. During the civil rights movement in the 1960s, many women became inspired to begin a new women’s movement in order to be treated fairly at school and in the workplace. In 1972, the United States Congress passes numerous important laws in order to give girls and women more opportunities. The most general of these laws was the Equal Rights Amendment. This was put in place to promote a change in the United States Constitution that would guarantee women the same rights that are provided to men. The amendment struggled to pass through the state legislatures and was eventually unsuccessful. Later that year, congress passed a law that was not very well known called Title IX. This law stated that any school that was receiving funding from the government count treat boys and girls differently based on their sex. This also meant that if schools sponsored sports for boys, they must also sponsor them for girls. This was the first time that women in the United States got to play on a real athletic field. This little, unknown law skyrocketed and started a revolution for women all over the country. In 1971, the number of boys participating in varsity sports was 3,666,917 whereas; the number of girls participating was only 294, 015. After the amendment was put into action, the number of women athletes drastically increased to 817,073. This significantly large change shows how many women were interested in athletic; however, they were not allowed to follow their dreams until this law was put into place. Along with bringing women the opportunity to participate in athletics, Title IX brought so much more. Simply focusing on sports only, this law brings out the less popular sports, and also provides women with considerably more scholarships for college athletics. Title IX has made a huge difference in the lives of female athletes and I believe it was necessary to be put into action and still in affect today.

Title IX has opened up a new world for women athletes. Prior to the year 1972, women were not allowed to participate in sports at school unless their school provided a team; however, that rarely occurred. Tara VanDerveer, one of the nations best women’s basketball coaches craved the chance to participate in basketball during her childhood. In 7^th grade, the closest she got ever got to playing was participating in a “Play Day” with other schools that lasted one day. In order to attend all the games she could, she volunteered to wear the mascot suit so she could watch the game from the sidelines. This is just one example of how women were eager to get involved and did anything to get closer to athletics. In 1972, the women participating in college athletics was only about 15% of the students. By 2002, that number had already risen to 42%. Although the amount of women in athletics increased, women made up 55% of all students, but only 42% of all varsity athletes.  Today, women are participating in athletics that were not even offered 35 years ago. Since Title IX was put into action, 800 women’s teams have been added at the collegiate level. This number continues to rise as the effects of this law are still emerging. The progress towards men and women’s equality in the area of collegiate sports is slowing making process. .  Women in today’s generation are appearing to be stronger, and healthier than before. “Women from all ethnic backgrounds are succeeding in high school, college, professional and Olympic sports.” ( ) Overall, opportunities are opening up left and right for women, which is beginning to create equality between men and women on the athletic field.

When most people think of sports, the first thing that comes to their mind is usually football or baseball. This is due to the fact that football and baseball are two of the most popular sports to play and watch in the United States. “Football has always been the number one moneymaking sport at colleges and universities” ( ). But what happens to the sports that have been pushed away and don’t receive any publicity? Title IX has helped to bring about the less popular sports and give them the same benefits as sports that are always watched and played. Colleges are now reducing the funding for men’s sports in order to fund and support women’s sports. This has brought women’s sports forward and has increased the amount of people that watch and attend female sporting events.

Title IX has created more opportunities for women to receive scholarships for collegiate athletics. Prior to Title IX, scholarships for women’s athletics were nearly non-existent. By 2003, there were more than $1 million dollars scholarships provided for women at Division 1 schools. Today, the number of scholarships given to women continues to increase each year. Many colleges are even looking to restore the gender imbalance in athletics. Colleges have begun to give out scholarships in extraordinary numbers in order to follow Title IX.  In some rare cases, colleges do not even end up spending their full allocation of scholarship money for athletics because not enough women suitable for a particular sport are available. ( ) Women must receive athletic scholarships proportional to the number of people participating in their particular sport.

Although this amendment has many positive aspects, many people disagree with Title IX. Their main concern with this law is that since there must be equality between the numbers of sports offered, valuable sports are being eliminated as a result.  Many athletes that attend smaller schools may possibly depend on a scholarship in order to have the opportunity to go to college. If their sport is eliminated, their chances of playing a sport, or even attending college have been abolished. Although this is clearly a negative aspect of Title IX, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages immensely. What it all comes down to is the fairness in the situation. If men are playing sports, so should women. If men are receiving publicity and funding, so should women. And finally, if men are receiving athletic scholarships, so should women. Along with the issue of fairness, there actually is an interest in female sports. Although football and baseball seem to be more popular, there are still people willing to watch a women’s game and see them compete.

Overall, Title IX has given women numerous opportunities and has created equality on the playing field. “Title IX truly changed the field of athletics for women. The amendment has provided more opportunities for female athlete participation, created better facilities, mandated more qualified coaching, more equitable travel procedures- but also opened the doors for women to continue their passion for sports into the career fields! Women and men now have opportunities to compete at high levels in an equitable fashion” (Gilbert).  Title IX has not only allowed women to participate in sports, but it has showed equality in the sense that less popular sports still receive the same benefits as sports that are watched everyday. Lastly, it has provided women with scholarships to follow their dreams and participate in collegiate athletics. Without Title IX, none of this would be possible and men would rule the court. In conclusion, I believe that the Title IX amendment is valuable and provides fairness across the board of not only athletics, but also career fields, and so much more. Although many find this law unfair, I believe it has served its purpose and should continue to improve any gender discrepancies that arise in the future in athletics.

Your claim/position:  I believe that Title IX is an amendment that has made a difference in the lives of women athletes and was definitely necessary to be put into action.

List your reasons and grounds here.
[Note: you do not have to have 4 reasons; this is only a guide.]

Reason #1: Women are now allowed to participate in sports that were not available in the past unless their particular school had a team.

Grounds supporting this reason:  Before the year 1972, only about 15% of women in college participated in athletics, which compares to 42& in the year 2002.

Warrant underlying the enthymeme: Women are just as interested in participating in sports as men are; therefore, they should be given the opportunity.

Reason #2: The less popular sports receive equal attention now due to Title IX.

Grounds supporting this reason: The more popular sports according to Americans have been watched more and had a larger interest than sports that may not be as popular, including female sports.

Warrant underlying the enthymeme: Title IX brings the less popular sports back from the dead.

Reason #3: More availability of athletic scholarships for women.

Grounds supporting this reason: Before 1972, women rarely received scholarships for athletics.

Warrant underlying the enthymeme: Men have been receiving scholarships as long as sports have been around.

Reason #4:

Grounds supporting this reason:

Warrant underlying the enthymeme:

Counterargument

What are the main claims and reasons of your audience/those who disagree with you?

The people that are against title IX are mainly concerned with the sports that have been eliminated due to this amendment. Also, many kids that go to smaller schools that are expecting scholarships; however, if their sport is eliminated, this is not possible.

Which do you think is the most powerful and/or credible?

I think the most powerful is that many kids don’t get the opportunity to participate in their sport because it was eliminated.

How will you respond to the arguments against your claim?

I think fairness is the biggest issue. If men are receiving scholarships for athletics, women should have the same opportunity. Also, there IS an interest in female sports, and people do want to see them compete as well.