I am looking to write a research paper on transsexualism.  I am having some trouble coming up with ideas for topics to write on.  I feel like because I am a transsexual that I shouldn't have trouble with topics, but I am.

This is going to be a sort of Argumentative Research Paper, without taking sides though.  I need topics that I can get information for both sides. 

If you need more info, let me know.  I need to write the proposal for Monday.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

So I take it you are going to choose a popular argument in the transsexual world and extrapolate on it, basically pointing out the pros and cons of each side without actually endorsing either?

Quote from: Valerie Elizabeth on April 10, 2009, 10:44:50 AM
I am looking to write a research paper on transsexualism.  I am having some trouble coming up with ideas for topics to write on.  I feel like because I am a transsexual that I shouldn't have trouble with topics, but I am.

This is going to be a sort of Argumentative Research Paper, without taking sides though.  I need topics that I can get information for both sides. 

If you need more info, let me know.  I need to write the proposal for Monday.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

There are no lack of ideas if you are looking at the social implications of being transsexual.

For example, there is all the current hubbub about trans people being in public washrooms and locker rooms.  Granted, that is more of a transgender subject, than strictly transsexual, it does have very vocal issues on both sides of the argument.

Also in a more transsexual vein there is the issue of changing the gender on the birth certificate.  Many states don't allow it at all, and others put extreme restrictions on verifying the completion of the transsexual surgery.  While many trans people feel that it should be a simple matter of being properly diagnosed as having GID as a basis for amending the B/C.

Then there is the issue of transsexuality even being a valid medical condition in the first place.  Many claim that a person is incapable of changing their gender through simple surgery and that the underlying DNA is the only real arbiter of gender.  Then of course there is the religious zealots who claim that a person shouldn't tamper with what God has given.

Really, if you look around there are quite a number of argumentative topics that could be found.  You probably just have a case of writers block.

Good luck!

-Sandy

One thing you can do is find an article and argue against it, siting other resources and your own experience.

how many pages required (double or single spaced?); is this sopposed to be a formal essay or term paper?

I've never seen any sort of academic paper that is single spaced.  Double spacing is the norm.  Oh yeah, spell check it too.

When I'd proof my friends thesis and dissertations they were double spaced.  One could always go to the source and check with Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations which I imagine is still being used, as its the second 'kate' that shows up on google.

I am in college.  It is for my written argument class.  The proposal is only 2 pages double spaced, so its really easy to do.  I am having trouble coming up with the topics.  The research paper itself is supposed to be 10 - 12 pages double spaced (not super long, but a decent length).

It is just a formal essay.

She did give us an outline of sorts, but it is more along the lines of what needs to be in it.

Sorry for the delayed response, I went home for the weekend and have been busy with the parents.

I always found it was easier to write about things you were not personally connected to.  That you have no stake in.  At least when it comes to presenting both sides.

Well, the proposal was due yesterday, but I can still change it around if I want.

I would love some more help.  I am always willing to get help.

Thank!

Here are some topics:

1. Legal aspects (name change, marriage, etc.)
2. Economic aspects (employment discrimination)
3. Controversies over treatment (e.g. Johns Hopkins etc.)
4. Religious treatment of transgender issues
5. Brain research on transgender brains