Gender Neutral Instructions: Talk to the reader

Personally, I feel that if you talk to the reader as an individual, they take in more of your instructions. And when you’re talking directly to your reader, you don’t have to worry about their gender.

I also find that speaking directly to the reader results in more direct text and clearer instructions.

“If the player decides to take the risk of death to grab the treasure, he should make a saving throw vs. death. If successful, he has grabbed the treasure. If unsuccessful, he has died of a brain hemorrhage.”

“If you decide to take the risk of death and grab the treasure, make a saving throw vs. death. If successful, you have grabbed the treasure. Otherwise, you are dead of a brain hemorrhage.”

Of course, sometimes you are not talking to the reader in your description. You’re telling the reader what to do if someone else does something. In that case, you’ll want to try something else.