Essay On NFL Cheerleaders

In the past three years, the NFL has faced a multitude of lawsuits dealing with the unfair payment of NFL cheerleaders. Multiple different articles support the cheerleaders, agreeing that an average of a $1,000 salary each year is unfair. However, other articles are against a higher payment, claiming that cheerleaders work because they enjoy the sport, rather than for the money. While Megan McArdle’s article, “NFL Cheerleaders Don’t Do it for the Money” uses informal diction, comparisons to other jobs, and concession to the opposition to support the claim that the cheerleaders do not deserve to be paid more, “Who Do We Under-Compensate?”, by Ira Boudway, uses a more formal diction, statistics, and concession to the other side of the argument to support the opposite.
For instance, when discussing why women participate in the hours of fierce physical exercise and pressures of being an NFL cheerleader, the author states, “But why the women go along -- heck, lineup nine deep for the honor of doing so -- is harder to understand.” (McArdle). Informality is seen here with the use of the word “heck”. In addition, she also uses words such as “apparently”, “I’m sure”, “of course”, and “darn” sporadically throughout her writing. Words, such as these, tend to show a more opinionated position. In addition, the author speaks in first person throughout the article. While this is often an informal way to write published works, McArdle’s word choice and first person narration brings a more personal view on the subject. The audience is able to connect with her views and understand the thought process of an actual