SEPTEMBER 12, 2013

Is the Miss America Pageant Bad for Women?

INTRODUCTION

Contestants in the first Miss America pageant, held in Atlantic City, in 1921.

Associated Press

As contestants gather in Atlantic City to see who will be crowned Miss America 2014, we are reminded of the famous “bra-burning”demonstrations, 45 years ago this month, in which hundreds of women gathered on the boardwalk to protest the pageant, proclaiming it racist and bad for women.

So, what’s the verdict? Has anything changed?

Argument

Closely read each of the six texts here and write a source-based argument on the topic below.

Topic: Is the Miss America Pageant bad for women?

Your Task: Carefully read each of the texts provided. Then, using evidence from THREE OF THE TEXTS, write a well-developed argument regarding whether or not the Miss America Pageant is bad for women Clearly establish your claim, distinguish your claim from alternate or opposing claims, and use specific, relevant, and sufficient evidence from the three texts to develop your argument. Do not simply summarize each text.

Guidelines:

Be sure to:

• Establish your claim regarding whether or not the Miss America Pageant is bad for women.

• Distinguish your claim from alternate or opposing claims.

• Use specific, relevant, and sufficient evidence from at least three of the texts to develop your argument.

• Identify each source that you reference by text number and line number(s) or graphic (for example: Text 1, line 4 or Text 2, graphic).

• Organize your ideas in a cohesive and coherent manner. (Thesis, road map, MEAL)

• Maintain a formal style of writing.

• Follow the conventions of standard written English.