Each Flipped Learning Module (FLM) is a set of short videos and online activities that can be used (in whole or in part) to free up class time from content delivery for greater student interaction. At the end of the module, students are asked to fill out a brief survey, in which we adopt the minute paper strategy. In this approach, students are asked to submit their response to two brief questions regarding their knowledge of the module.
In this FLM, students are asked to watch four videos, covering the topics of the functions and properties of English pronouns, common errors in pronoun usage, and singular “they.”
Key Terms
pronoun, cohesion, clarity, ambiguity, antecedent, inclusion
Module Overview
- What is a Pronoun?
- Noun vs. Pronoun
- Pronouns as Function Words
- Inclusive Pronouns
- Properties of English Pronouns
- Pronouns across Languages
- Types of English Pronouns
- Noun-Pronoun Agreement
- Compound Nouns
- Common Errors in Pronoun Usage
- Multiple Antecedents
- Broad Referent
- Unclear “They” or “It”
- Singular “They”
- Debate over Singular “They”
- Singular “They” Today
- Alternatives to Singular “They”
Download Video Transcripts
Video 1: What is a Pronoun?
Video 2: Properties of English Pronouns
Video 3: Common Errors in Pronoun Usage
Pronoun Online Activity 1
Each of the sentences below contains a pronoun usage error. Carefully examine the sentences and for each:
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- Identify the error,
- Label the type of error (multiple antecedents, broad referent, unclear use of it/they), and
- Offer a revision by rewriting the sentence and underlining or highlighting the changes you made to solve each problem.
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- In his essay, Teju Cole describes Nicholas Kristof and many people who criticized him.
- In Zuckerman’s essay, it states that social media and the internet are actually limiting our perspectives instead of exposing us to new ideas.
- The author uses rhetorical questions, single-sentence paragraphs, and parallelism for emphasis. This helps readers follow her point better.
- According to the author, in many countries they expect immigrants to assimilate to the local culture.
- Larsen states that some Chinese women pursue marriage, while others focus more on their career. I think that it is a reasonable goal.
- According to Boroditsky, one difference between speakers of Kuuk Thayorre and speakers of English is that they tend to use cardinal-direction terms to refer to the space around them.
- As Traves argues in her article, they pay Westerns more to teach English than they pay local Asian teachers.
- James Angelos starts his text by describing one Turkish immigrant’s experience in learning German before offering some background information about language laws in Europe. This is very insightful.
Video 4: Singular “They”
Pronoun Reference Online Activity 2
Copy a paragraph from one of your recent papers that you wrote in this class or in another class. Next, underline all the pronouns in your sentences and examine them closely. What stands out to you about your use of pronouns? Write a one-paragraph reflection, in which you answer the following questions:
- What patterns do you see in how your use pronouns? For example, do you use a lot of demonstrative pronouns? Is your pronoun use respectful and inclusive? Do you use or avoid singular “they”?
- Are there any issues related to pronoun use in your writing? For example, do you notice any vague or unclear pronouns? Are there any sentences where a pronoun could have multiple viable antecedents? Are there any excessive or confusing repetitions of pronouns?
- What is the most important or useful thing you learned about your own writing by looking closely at your pronouns? What are some strategies you can use to improve your writing?
Pronoun Reference Additional Resources
References
Angelos, James. “Passing the Test.” Globalization: A Reader for Writers, edited by Maria Jerskey, Oxford University Press, 2014, pp. 149-164.
Baron, Dennis. “A brief history of singular ‘they.’” OED. https://public.oed.com/blog/a-brief-history-of-singular-they/. Accessed 11 January 2020.
Hacker, Diana, and Nancy Sommers. Rules for Writers. Boston, Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2016.
Leonard, Stephen. “Death by Monoculture.” Globalization: A Reader for Writers, edited by Maria Jerskey, Oxford University Press, 2014, pp. 145-149.
Raimes, Ann. Grammar Troublespots: A Guide for student writers. Cambridge, Cambridge U Press, 2010.
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