Using pronouns (i.e. he/she ) in the AWA

[lgabriel]

Is it bad form to use he/she, he or she, or just he in the analysis of argument when referring to the author?

Typically I might have " the author concludes that......" somewhere later on I would say " he/she is assuming that...."

is this bad form? how to refer to the author then? Or is that a bad idea to begin with.

what about having the argument as the subject and then using the pronoun it " the argument suggests.." "it assumes that..."

thanks.

[myohmy]

"He" is generally an accepted standard, though you wouldn't be penalized for using "she" unless the author is specified to be female. Some people (academics) advocate for the word "hu" as a singular, gender neutral pronoun, but I definitely wouldn't use that. He/she (or s/he) look clunky and will likely confuse the e-grader so I wouldn't use that.

[lgabriel]

Will go with that. Was just concerned about political correctness etc.
Thanks.
ps. that hu sounds horrible, but I understand the effort.

[4seasoncentre]

That's a great question!

I always referred to the author as "the author".

Whatever you do, never use "their" to replace "his or her"!