More Suggestions for Writing Gender-Neutral Pronouns
1. Replace the male-linked pronoun with "a," "an," or "the." "A lawyer should frame an argument in persuasive language."
2. Use "who," which does not
More Suggestions for Writing Gender-Neutral Pronouns
1. Replace the male-linked pronoun with "a," "an," or "the." "A lawyer should frame an argument in persuasive language."
2. Use "who," which does not indicate gender: "A lawyer who frames an argument in persuasive language is more likely to win."
3. Repeat the noun to avoid the need for a pronoun. This works best with passages that are longer than a single sentence. "A lawyer should frame an argument in persuasive language. By doing so, the lawyer is more likely to win."
4. Use a synonym to avoid the need for a pronoun. This also works best with a longer passage. "A lawyer should argue in persuasive language. By doing so, an attorney is more likely to win." Use caution with this option, though; in legal writing, it is usually best to avoid confusion by referring to the same concept with the same language.
Added to my earlier suggestions, these hints provide a variety of ways to avoid generic masculine pronouns. By alternating among them and choosing the best option for the context, writers can craft graceful, unobtrusive gender-neutral language.
--The Word Aficionado