Flynn, Elizabeth A. “Composing as a Woman.” Cross-Talk in Comp Theory, edited by Victor Villanueva and Kristin L. Arola, National Council of Teachers of English, 2011, pp. 581-595.

In the article “Composing as a Woman,” Elizabeth A Flynn argues that “difference is erased in a desire to universalize” (583). Flynn substantiates her argument by exploring “feminist research on gender differences in social and psychological development,” as well as examining the differences of four student essays (two women and two men), and examples of her pedagogical strategies. Her purpose is to show how the research she surveys can be applied to the examination of student writing in order to make suggestions on how composition can move forward with a feminist lens. She directs her article to teachers, particularly those who are looking for ways to empower their female students in their writing. As a student and a possible future teacher, I found Flynn’s article and observations a little contradictory, as she points out herself after reviewing the student essays; however, I did find the examples of her pedagogical strategies helpful as they are concrete ways to implement what she is advocating for.