Analyzing Jennifer Seibel Newsom's Miss Representation

Miss Representation is a documentary film written, directed and produced by Jennifer Seibel Newsom. The film was released in 2011 to address sexism and the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions in America. Through the use of statistical data, anecdotal support and one-on-one interview, Newsom provides the audience with both a history of the issue, as well as suggestions for change. Miss Representation effectively persuades the audience that sexism is an important issue by providing credibility, supporting its claims with strong evidence, and by eliciting an emotional response from the audience which results in a desire to act on behalf of the cause.

The film opens with some personal information about the author, Jennifer Seibel Newsom. She is a woman expecting her first child, and expresses concern about the world she is bringing her unborn daughter into. As a woman in today’s society and especially as a woman in the public’s eye, she has personally dealt with many issues which she attributes to sexism in media and the unrealistic standards

The viewer receives an abundance of information that evokes a wide range of emotions, and instead of cutting it there, Newsom calls for action from the audience. This, once again, appeals to the audience’s emotions. When watching the film it is hard not to be moved by the injustices facing women, and by providing an outlet for the audience, she creates momentum that can work to carry out real change. Much of the film discusses the many ways our society works to constantly divide the sexes, to divide individuals within each sex, and to make people feel disempowered and small. But by offering suggestions for change, and steps that can be taken at that moment, Newsom creates a sense of togetherness, community and impact. This appeal to emotions and call to action further increased the effectiveness of this