#LoveWins
Arguing a position on identity labels.
Objective:
Language is a system of communication that permits us to create extremely complex individual and group identities for ourselves and others. Our language defines us in multiple ways, being inclusive or alienating. An accent, a vernacular, a pronoun, slang, emojis – these are all complexities of language. Sex and/or gender are deeply embedded in language. For example, saying “police officer” versus “police man” or “history” versus “herstory.” Or, although “nurse” is a gender neutral term, it implies a stereotypical gender in that field. And as an English educator, there will always be an ongoing debate in my profession on a plural pronoun “they” being used for a singular person. Please dive into the sources and think deeply about the gendered language and the (in)visibility of gender neutral people or gender in particular spaces.
Readings:
Robyn Kaur Sidhu – My Pronouns Are (after Zenaida Peterson)
Which Is Better Latino or Latinx?
Zenaida Peterson – My Pronouns Are Black
Meet Sappho the Original Diva of the Ladies | The Book of Queer | discovery+
The New York Times – BIPOC or POC? Equity or Equality? The Debate Over Language on the Left
Writings:
Academic arguments require careful reading, accurate reporting, and a conscientious commitment to truth. Doing research is complex and should take time. Narrow your topic so the research isn’t as overwhelming. Find sources (keep a running list), evaluate sources, analyze, synthesize ideas, and argue. Do not simply summarize your source. The sources are helping you, you are not helping the sources. It is your name at the top of the essay. Your claim needs to say something consequential about that important or controversial topic and be supported with strong evidence and good reason. Since the rhetorical strategy is arguing, you will make a claim and provide evidence to support that claim.
Author: You
Genre: Formal Academic Argumentative Research
Style: Your Choice
Purpose: To argue a position on (non) gendered language in a particular space.
Expectations:
Essay Rubric
You will be answering the question: Should language be non-gendered?
3 Pages Double Spaced in MLA Format (4th Page is the Works Cited)
2 Credible Sources from the Library Resources
2 In-Text Citations (1 from Each Source) Please highlight the citations in your essay.
