1. ASManager2_6.zip Driver
2. E_SEXIST.txt File Contents

E_SEXIST.txt Driver File Contents (ASManager2_6.zip)

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Sexist Language

Sometimes language is slanted to exclude people or to stereotype men and women into certain roles. Here is an example:

Man's search for knowledge leads him into exciting new areas.

You can easily rewrite this sentence so that it does not exclude half of the population -- in this case, women!

The search for knowledge leads us into exciting new areas.

Look at the two sentences below. Delete the sentence that uses sexist language:

1) All mailmen know that "the mail must go through."

2) All mail carriers know that "the mail must go through."

If you deleted sentence 1, you are on the right track. In each pair of sentences or phrases below, delete the one that uses sexist language.

3) A teacher needs to be on time for her class.

4) Teachers need to be on time for their classes.

5) A chairperson has a lot of responsibility.

6) A chairman has a lot of responsibility.

7) people, humanity, human beings

8) man, mankind

9) Each person will make his own decisions.

10) Each person will make his or her own decisions.


Name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)


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Edit each example below so that it is not sexist. You may need to delete certain words and insert others. You may wish to rewrite the example completely.

1) workman

2) A nurse assists a doctor by taking care of his instruments.

3) Dear Sir:

4) fireman

5) A person in great danger cries "HELP!" when he cannot do anything to help himself.

6) The brave pioneers crossed the mountains with their wives, children, and cattle.

7) Note: the next example is Oscar Wilde's definition of an "expert."

"An ordinary man away from home giving advice."

8) Note: the next example is H.L. Mencken's definition of a "pastor."

"One employed by the wicked to prove to them by his example that virtue doesn't pay."


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Now compare your responses with those below:

1) worker

2) A nurse assists a doctor by taking care of the doctor's instruments.

3) Dear Editor, or Dear Sir or Madam:

4) firefighter

5) People in great danger cry "HELP!" when they cannot do anything to help themselves.

6) The brave pioneers crossed the mountains with their children and cattle.

7) "An ordinary person away from home giving advice."

8) "One employed by the wicked to prove to them by example that virtue doesn't pay."

During the next few days, listen and read carefully. Make a mental note or actually write down some of the sexist language you find. How could the person have stated or written the idea in a nonsexist way? Being able to recognize sexist language in other people's speech and writing will help you become very sensitive to it in your own writing and speaking.


If you haven't done so already, name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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end of activity
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