covering the sex change

Bryce Quigley

Writ 1122

February 15, 2013

Covering the Sex Change

I read a very biased college blog called Barstoolu. Typically they take an article and look at it from a ridiculous point of view. They first summarize the article then give a personal take on the same article. If I were to take an article such as this and write it for barstool this is what is would sound like.

            Recently Brown University became the 36^th college to start having their insurance cover gender reassignment surgery. In addition to 36 colleges that cover the surgery there are 25 other colleges that will cover related hormone treatments. This idea is still radical but it is a large step in recognizing transgender rights. This directly affects a small group of students but it is another step toward equality. It is no longer just recognizing that trans-genders can use their respectable bathroom, it is taking it to the next level. There has been a guide for transgender students released online that includes Brown as a top ten transgender friendly school.

 This trend is something we are seeing not only in colleges but also about a quarter of fortune 500 companies support the same or similar insurance policy. Gender reassignment surgery is a complex process that requires psychological treatment as well as hormone treatment. The entire process costs tens of thousands of dollars, however colleges are not concerned about that, as it is a process that is rarely seeked. Transgender issues are relatively new around campuses in the United States. Even in colleges that are progressive about gay and lesbian rights can still be relatively naïve about the issue. www.nytimes.com/2013/02/13/education/12sexchange.html?hp&_r=0

            According to the New York Times Brown University just released a statement saying that their health care program will cover “gender reassignment surgery”. Brown is now the thirty-sixth university to do so. Only six years ago this type of thing was unheard of and now it is becoming a bit of a norm. They are now not only supporting transgender people but they are now financially helping people who want the surgery. I am not sure about you but seriously? I am all for supporting people who are transgender or people who want to change their lives in that way. But to have a University help pay for it with insurance is just silly. If every type of plastic surgery was supported like this girls would be getting breast implants left and right and the country would be full of synthetic people. I think that if you want a surgery this drastic you should have to go out of your way to take the measures, not have an insurance company pay for it.

            According to Princeton, Brown is one of the top ten-transgender friendly schools. That is something I fully support. I believe everyone should be treated equally no matter his or her race, ethnicity, gender, or personal views. But this is so radical it seems to be encouraging something that is very extreme.

            I fully encourage people to be themselves but to have insurance to cover an extensive plastic surgery process seems a bit intense.

Charlie review:

1.     A times article that covers transgender surgery at universities.  The audience is other college students who are the majority on barstoolu and the purpose seems to be purely informational for the reader. 

2.     It seems to be written more loosely and is very easy to understand it also has an opinion at the end of the article so it seems to be written in more of a blogging format.

3.     Maybe introduce the article that you are talking about if you are planning to keep the last sentence in the opening paragraph.

4.     I have been on the site and this is a pretty good interpretation of how the site actually runs and gives out information

5.     Grammar check, maybe a little formatting with the first paragraph that’s about it.

Carter review:

1.     What is the original story, audience, and purpose? Whatis the new audience and / or purpose?

The original audience is prospective students for Brown or anybody looking where to go for college. The purpose is to inform readers that their [Brown College] has certain aspects few other colleges and if it interests you then go there. The new audience is the same people, but those who are opposed to the idea or basically think it is dumb.

2.     How is the change in audience and / or purpose reflected in the rewriting of the piece?

The change is used with the Barstool approach of summarizing the initial article and then voicing a specific opinion on the matter. The author does a good job of this by explaining the fashion he is going to take in changing the article. Then he does a good job of emphasizing his opinion about why it is dumb and giving examples of what the future might hold for similar situations.

3.     What is the single best thing that could be added to the introduction?

Grammar. There are a few grammatical errors that are easy fixes and can touch up the introduction to make it easier to read and more effective.

4.     In what other ways might the piece better target its new audience and / or purpose?

Maybe continue to use the questionnaire approach. An example would be to ask, are you really considering choosing a college because of a transgender operation you want done? Or if you disagree with this idea do you want to attend a college where your tuition is going to funding of transgender operations?

5.     Any additional comments?

I like the Barstool approach and Bryce does a good job of explaining as well as portraying it.