You are interns for a small online magazine that focuses on popular culture from a general interest point of view. Your boss wants you to write a casual but informed 600-word piece on gender-nonspecific language in the twenty-first century. It should introduce the basic issue of gender specific language and give a very brief bit of history (feel free to use Anne Fadiman as one historical source), and it should end by offering readers advice on and/or range of options for how to approach gender nonspecific language.
Begin by sharing the list of language issues related to gender that each of you made last week. Decide on which issue or issues seems the most pressing and the most relevant to a magazine audience of college-educated younger adults interested in popular culture. You can choose one issue, or a small handful with one being the main focus.
Then make a list of places where you might find information about the issue(s) you've chosen to focus on––this can include print and online resources, but also any other information source you could access within a small budget (for example, contacting experts or commenters in any number of fields or areas by phone, email, etc.).
Then spend a few minutes trying to find two or more sources to check for basic information that you can use to begin to shape the very first draft of your piece.
Create a rough outline for the piece you envision (including references to any information you intend to gather from more time-intensive means like interviews).
If you have time, write the first paragraph or two.
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