wherever possible I use second person: you

So often I see examples like, "patients are encouraged to wash his or her hands" instead of "please wash your hands"

A lot of writers use "their" but that implies plural.

Nicola
-----Original Message-----
From: healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov]On Behalf Of
Terri.Ades at cancer.org
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 9:51 AM
To: healthliteracy at nifl.gov
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 1977] Fw: Guidance on remaining gender neurtral



Our style guidelines require that we remain gender neutral. However, my
sense is that when writing for an audience with very limited literacy
skills, using "he or she" is not easily understood.  Suggestions would be
greatly appreciated?

Terri Ades, MS, FNP-BC, AOCN
Director, Cancer Information
Health Promotions
American Cancer Society
250 Williams Street
Atlanta, GA 30303-1002
404-329-7785
tades at cancer.org

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