Best solution to your dilemma : Use the words The argument ...

Apart from that this image from "my screenshot collection" might be helpful :



Regards,
Vivek

You can use 'the argument' or 'the author' as you don't know whether he is a male or female.

Just to pick up on the previous two responses: one thing that you can do is to to mention the actual source of the argument.

So in addition to "the author" and "the argument" you can definitely reference the specific source mentioned such as "the advertisement" if it is an ad or "the editorial" or the "speaker" of the "city council member" or whatever it is. Using some of the vocabulary that the argument uses and being specific as to where it came from is always a good thing!

You can also be more specific as to which part of the argument, such as "the conclusion states" if it is the conclusion. Or "the evidence says" if it is the evidence.

You are right to avoid the problem of "He said / She said."

Is it ok to say "they" instead of the author?
I usually say 'they' instead of he/she when the gender is not known, but since this is technically not grammatical would this be considered a mistake when marking the essay?

I am going to have to agree with Rich on this one. Don't use "they" since most arguments on the AWA are from a single person or source.

Perhaps my favorite way to refer to the material is to use the context given to you at the beginning of the argument. Examples of this context are "an advertisement found in a travel magazine," "a speech given by a city council member," and "memo prepared by an investment firm."

So in addition to the things mentioned by Rich you can also refer directly to the prompt and use "the advertisement" or "the memo" or you can say, "the city councilor said" (whichever is appropriate for that prompt).

There are plenty of ways to refer to the text of the argument and to keep some variety without using "they."