Rhetorical
Analysis
Gender bias has been a part of history for centuries among males and females. However, there does seem to be more of a point of sexism towards women. Women have had the struggle with acceptance in terms of education, appearance, actions, and even jobs. In today’s society women have come a long ways since the last century. Knowing this, we will try to determine what all may be stopping women from exploring new options and occupations.
This paper will be an analysis of a study done in 1999, exploring possible explanations of restrictions being placed on women in the working world. There will be no positions made or opinions stated based on this paper, but simply an analysis of what has been researched and translated for the readers’ understandings. Also, no evaluations based on this study or arguments will be made based on what has been read. Instead, this paper will be strictly broken down to look at how these authors went about their research and how it effects its readers.
The title of the document under consideration is Gender Effects in the Evaluation of High School Basketball Officials. Development on this document was based on the authors’ personal curiosity and research. This research covers the question as to whether or not the gender of basketball officials has an effect of their reviews and evaluations. The authors explore other options that may lead to a reason why gender affects referees which may then further lead to more questions and arguments.
The authors of this document are Richard G. Graf and Paula J. Konoske, both of whom are members of the San Diego County Basketball Officials Association and officiate high school and junior college basketball. Richard and Paula’s focus audience is on athletic fans, those involved in officiating, and specifically high school students. The purpose of this research is to prove whether or not the gender of officials affects their competence of the games they are assigned to and the outcomes of those games. They also focus on possible outside influences that may be affected by the gender of referees. The context of this document is based on a survey that was given to high school students for Richard and Paula to then analyze and find if there are any patterns or answers to their original questions.
Gender Effects in the Evaluation of High School Basketball Officials is a well conducted research paper that clearly states results of a previously done survey and provides its readers with very specific data that was collected. The technique used in this essay makes an unsuspected approach. The beginning of the paper attacks the readers mind and brings up other options to their thesis right away. After opening the readers’ minds, they then go on to show us the survey conducted and finally their results and further opinions. Unlike some essays, this one does not, however, try to influence the reader to one opinion or the other. The authors are simply providing the information needed to further question what may be going on with gender bias or leading to any other argument.
The body of this research document can be broken up into five different parts, each of which has a critical impact on the readers. As related to nearly all documents, the beginning clearly states the authors’ hypothesis and the goal at hand of their research. This functions as one would think, to provide the reader with information as to what to expect in the rest of the paper so to be prepared for the subject matter. The stated hypothesis is critical in that both the authors and the readers can make conclusions and compare the data found with the initial hypothesis made.
The second section presented was directed specifically towards the readers to provide them with more information that may lead to other reasons of gender bias. Different factors include the creation of Title IX, the relation between officiating and other jobs obtained by females, low job satisfaction, and the lack of reinforcement from colleagues causing females to quit. Title IX is an act passed through legislation providing women with more opportunities in the work force, including jobs related to athletics. Low job satisfaction and lack of reinforcement is related to females that work as teachers, administrators and even coaches. The authors bring up the idea that females may be looked down upon by their male colleagues, making for a lower job satisfaction and therefore a higher dropout rate of female workers.
This section of the article provides an opportunity for the readers to make a connection as to what else may be going on in this field of research. The authors allow for our minds to wander and start thinking of other possibilities towards gender bias relating to the lack of female officials. The location of this section appears after the original hypothesis which seems very interesting. In a normal research, other possibilities for an answer will typically be found after the sharing of evidence. However, the placement of it in this piece shows to the reader that the authors are willing to explore other options and are keeping an open mind while approaching their investigation.
The main body of this research paper covers all areas of this survey. Each paragraph covers the questions of what, who, how, why, and also a quick overview of their immediate results. The question of what was explained by our authors giving a detailed explanation of what exactly was on the survey handed out to the surveyors. In this way, the authors are making sure their readers have a full understanding of what is going on and give an opportunity for them to relate to the subject. The readers may then unknowingly answer the survey questions themselves and compare their results to the ones presented at the end of this paper. The authors then go on to present their subjects that are used for this survey, which is high school students. We can understand this choice of audience since our two authors, Richard and Paula, are in fact high school officials therefore targeting high school students. 171 total students were randomly selected for this study and 160 were chosen for the final research, providing an even 80 boys and 80 girls.
The following procedure of the survey put the high school students in an evaluator’s position. Being provided with information of two officials, one male and one female, they were asked to rate different skills on a scale of one through five. This answers the question of how this survey was done. By giving the readers this information, we can then verify what exactly was going on and again be able to possibly relate to the research and what exactly was done. Providing us with this information gives more respect and liability for the authors so that they could eliminate any disbelief or questions in the end.
The authors present a possible reasoning for their results after the survey which is the explanation of why this research was done. The point of the study was to either solve the issue at hand or possibly to present any further options and continue research. The authors came in with a possible hypothesis, meaning they were not expecting their hypothesis to be answered right away; they used it as a base for possible further research. That being said they did find that further research was going to be needed which is exactly why this study was done.
The last few paragraphs of the research paper was the authors’ direct responses to what they had found during their studies. They also stated things that could have been done differently to give them varying answers or results. They also provide their own argument in that they stated their personal opinions about the research and how they related to it in any way. Since their hypothesis did not come through as true with the study, they then posed possible further questions and arguments that lead their readers to further thinking about the subject. This section of the paper shows that the authors have found critical evidence that can further lead them onto more research and a more directed study to follow for the next time.
The last part of their paper presented their found evidence and statistics from the surveys. In presenting this, the readers can then see for themselves the results and confirm with the authors what they had found. This gives a more reliable source and a more formal documentation of the overall study of the matter.
In conclusion, Gender Effects in the Evaluations of High School Basketball Officials, written by Richard G. Graf and Paula J. Konoske has proven to be a well qualified source and their resources were presented efficiently. We learn from them that there are possible outside influences effecting women in the working world such as Title IX, job relations, and lack of colleague reinforcement; the data found by surveying high school students; and possible further arguments based on this subject matter. Richard and Paula’s hypothesis-a male high school basketball official would be perceived as more competent than would a female official-was proven to not entirely be true, however, they have opened up the gates to further research.
In relation to my further research, there will be greater depth in these major points made during Graf’s and Konoske’s research which will be applied in my own thesis.
Gender bias has been a part of history for centuries among males and females. However, there does seem to be more of a point of sexism towards women. Women have had the struggle with acceptance in terms of education, appearance, actions, and even jobs. In today’s society women have come a long ways since the last century. Knowing this, we will try to determine what all may be stopping women from exploring new options and occupations.
This paper will be an analysis of a study done in 1999, exploring possible explanations of restrictions being placed on women in the working world. There will be no positions made or opinions stated based on this paper, but simply an analysis of what has been researched and translated for the readers’ understandings. Also, no evaluations based on this study or arguments will be made based on what has been read. Instead, this paper will be strictly broken down to look at how these authors went about their research and how it effects its readers.
The title of the document under consideration is Gender Effects in the Evaluation of High School Basketball Officials. Development on this document was based on the authors’ personal curiosity and research. This research covers the question as to whether or not the gender of basketball officials has an effect of their reviews and evaluations. The authors explore other options that may lead to a reason why gender affects referees which may then further lead to more questions and arguments.
The authors of this document are Richard G. Graf and Paula J. Konoske, both of whom are members of the San Diego County Basketball Officials Association and officiate high school and junior college basketball. Richard and Paula’s focus audience is on athletic fans, those involved in officiating, and specifically high school students. The purpose of this research is to prove whether or not the gender of officials affects their competence of the games they are assigned to and the outcomes of those games. They also focus on possible outside influences that may be affected by the gender of referees. The context of this document is based on a survey that was given to high school students for Richard and Paula to then analyze and find if there are any patterns or answers to their original questions.
Gender Effects in the Evaluation of High School Basketball Officials is a well conducted research paper that clearly states results of a previously done survey and provides its readers with very specific data that was collected. The technique used in this essay makes an unsuspected approach. The beginning of the paper attacks the readers mind and brings up other options to their thesis right away. After opening the readers’ minds, they then go on to show us the survey conducted and finally their results and further opinions. Unlike some essays, this one does not, however, try to influence the reader to one opinion or the other. The authors are simply providing the information needed to further question what may be going on with gender bias or leading to any other argument.
The body of this research document can be broken up into five different parts, each of which has a critical impact on the readers. As related to nearly all documents, the beginning clearly states the authors’ hypothesis and the goal at hand of their research. This functions as one would think, to provide the reader with information as to what to expect in the rest of the paper so to be prepared for the subject matter. The stated hypothesis is critical in that both the authors and the readers can make conclusions and compare the data found with the initial hypothesis made.
The second section presented was directed specifically towards the readers to provide them with more information that may lead to other reasons of gender bias. Different factors include the creation of Title IX, the relation between officiating and other jobs obtained by females, low job satisfaction, and the lack of reinforcement from colleagues causing females to quit. Title IX is an act passed through legislation providing women with more opportunities in the work force, including jobs related to athletics. Low job satisfaction and lack of reinforcement is related to females that work as teachers, administrators and even coaches. The authors bring up the idea that females may be looked down upon by their male colleagues, making for a lower job satisfaction and therefore a higher dropout rate of female workers.
This section of the article provides an opportunity for the readers to make a connection as to what else may be going on in this field of research. The authors allow for our minds to wander and start thinking of other possibilities towards gender bias relating to the lack of female officials. The location of this section appears after the original hypothesis which seems very interesting. In a normal research, other possibilities for an answer will typically be found after the sharing of evidence. However, the placement of it in this piece shows to the reader that the authors are willing to explore other options and are keeping an open mind while approaching their investigation.
The main body of this research paper covers all areas of this survey. Each paragraph covers the questions of what, who, how, why, and also a quick overview of their immediate results. The question of what was explained by our authors giving a detailed explanation of what exactly was on the survey handed out to the surveyors. In this way, the authors are making sure their readers have a full understanding of what is going on and give an opportunity for them to relate to the subject. The readers may then unknowingly answer the survey questions themselves and compare their results to the ones presented at the end of this paper. The authors then go on to present their subjects that are used for this survey, which is high school students. We can understand this choice of audience since our two authors, Richard and Paula, are in fact high school officials therefore targeting high school students. 171 total students were randomly selected for this study and 160 were chosen for the final research, providing an even 80 boys and 80 girls.
The following procedure of the survey put the high school students in an evaluator’s position. Being provided with information of two officials, one male and one female, they were asked to rate different skills on a scale of one through five. This answers the question of how this survey was done. By giving the readers this information, we can then verify what exactly was going on and again be able to possibly relate to the research and what exactly was done. Providing us with this information gives more respect and liability for the authors so that they could eliminate any disbelief or questions in the end.
The authors present a possible reasoning for their results after the survey which is the explanation of why this research was done. The point of the study was to either solve the issue at hand or possibly to present any further options and continue research. The authors came in with a possible hypothesis, meaning they were not expecting their hypothesis to be answered right away; they used it as a base for possible further research. That being said they did find that further research was going to be needed which is exactly why this study was done.
The last few paragraphs of the research paper was the authors’ direct responses to what they had found during their studies. They also stated things that could have been done differently to give them varying answers or results. They also provide their own argument in that they stated their personal opinions about the research and how they related to it in any way. Since their hypothesis did not come through as true with the study, they then posed possible further questions and arguments that lead their readers to further thinking about the subject. This section of the paper shows that the authors have found critical evidence that can further lead them onto more research and a more directed study to follow for the next time.
The last part of their paper presented their found evidence and statistics from the surveys. In presenting this, the readers can then see for themselves the results and confirm with the authors what they had found. This gives a more reliable source and a more formal documentation of the overall study of the matter.
In conclusion, Gender Effects in the Evaluations of High School Basketball Officials, written by Richard G. Graf and Paula J. Konoske has proven to be a well qualified source and their resources were presented efficiently. We learn from them that there are possible outside influences effecting women in the working world such as Title IX, job relations, and lack of colleague reinforcement; the data found by surveying high school students; and possible further arguments based on this subject matter. Richard and Paula’s hypothesis-a male high school basketball official would be perceived as more competent than would a female official-was proven to not entirely be true, however, they have opened up the gates to further research.
In relation to my further research, there will be greater depth in these major points made during Graf’s and Konoske’s research which will be applied in my own thesis.