Encouraging Inclusive Language

Some of our language practices perpetuate sexual and racial stereotypes that are unjust and demeaning. Our Christian commitment to fairness and to an anti-racist perspective compels us to teach our students to use language in a way that affirms that all humans bear the image of God. To that end the following guidelines are helpful:

1. Avoid demeaning titles for females and minorities;
2. Avoid calling attention to a woman's sex or a minority race when you would not do so to a man's sex or to the white race;
3. Avoid all sexual and racial stereotypes;
4. Avoid men and mankind for references to people in general; and
5. Avoid he, him, or his, as references to a person of unknown gender.

See The New St. Martin's Handbook, pages 202-3, 342-3, and 730 for more advice about inclusive language.

Teachers should try to present this material in a manner that is positive, that shows students how inclusive language can enrich rather than flatten their writing. To borrow the words of former colleague Chris Hodgkins, "If we maintain that all language is God's creation, then we will work to discover a vocabulary that affirms both masculinity and femininity, as well as the beauty of their difference and the dance of their reconciliation."

Teacher Resources:

Crafting a Syllabus

Assigning Writing

Conferring With Students

Teaching Research in English 101

RIT-Research Information Technology Course

Supporting English 101 Students

Responding to Student Writing

Grading Essays in English 101

Teaching and Testing Grammar in English 101

Encouraging Inclusive Language

Minnaar Awards for Writing in English 101

Handling Plagiarism

Teaching in FAC 221

Resource Links:

Textbook Supplements

Teaching Writing to ESL Students

Research on the Teaching of College Writing

Conversations about the Teaching of Writing

Teaching in a Computer Classroom

Teaching Tips

Background on Classical Rhetoric