Hiatt, Mary P. “The Feminine Styel: Theory and Fact.” Eds. Kirsh et al. 43-48.
“This group-style theory is reflected in the descriptors ‘masculine’ style and ‘feminine’ style. Men and women, it is commonly believed, write differently. The conviction has run strong. Notably absent are any data to support the conviction.” (44). Touché!
“Whether or not the difference exists at all is important to establish, but most certainly the stereotyped desciptors are impressionistic, biased, and consequently less than useful” (44).
Hiatt uses a computer to analyze the text of men and women (random author choices, analyzing both fiction and nonfiction). She does find general differences, but not of the kind that is generally considered (using charged words). Instead she found “that the feminine style is conservative, structurally sound, logical in its own way, balanced in terms of emotionality and pace” (48).
