Universal Pronoun Agreement

barclay_barrios
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Have students review material in their handbook on pronoun/antecedent agreement and sexist language. In small groups, have them discuss the various methods for avoiding sexist language in pronouns, including awkward ones like “s/he” and incorrect ones like the use of a plural pronoun with a singular antecedent. Which method is best, leaving aside the rules of grammar? How might or must language change to accommodate nonsexist language?
About the Author
Barclay Barrios is an Associate Professor of English and Director of Writing Programs at Florida Atlantic University, where he teaches freshman composition and graduate courses in composition methodology and theory, rhetorics of the world wide web, and composing digital identities. He was Director of Instructional Technology at Rutgers University and currently serves on the board of Pedagogy. Barrios is a frequent presenter at professional conferences, and the author of Emerging.