Information Guides: Writing & Citing: Inclusive Writing

Introduction

Like inclusive language, inclusive writing aims to address all audiences in a way that acknowledges diversity, conveys respect and sensitivity to differences, while simultaneously promoting equitable opportunities.

Style Guides

Various style guides, typically used in journalism, are listed below. Regardless of discipline, they can by useful in choosing the right word and understanding the general theory behind why some language may be changing.

"Cultural Competence Handbook," National Association of Hispanic Journalists, August 2020
Provides information on a working vocabulary, related to diversity issues that avoids stereotypes.
"Disability Language Style Guide," National Center on Disability and Journalism
As language, perceptions and social mores change rapidly, it is becoming increasingly difficult for journalists and other communicators to figure out how to refer to people with disabilities. This style guide, which covers dozens of words and terms commonly used when referring to disability, can help.
GLAAD Media Reference Guide - Lesbian / Gay / Bisexual Glossary Of Terms
Use this reference guide to ensure the words you choose are inclusive.
PFLAG National Glossary of Terms
This glossary defines gender and sexual orientation terms.
“Glossary of Immigration Terms," Freedom for Immigrants
“NABJ Style Guide," National Association of Black Journalists
Meant as a resource, to help guide journalists, students, educators, and researchers to chose their words correctly and appropriately.
“Reporting and Indigenous Terminology,” Native American Journalists Association
This guide is designed to promote accurate phrasing when referring to Indigenous people.
“Why the language we use to describe mental health matters," the Mental Health Foundation
Being respectful and thoughtful in our mental health related language could do wonders for the emotions of the people around us.

Gender-inclusive Language and Personal Pronouns

For clarification on how to use gender-inclusive language and personal pronouns correctly, check out the links below.

“Inclusive Language: How do I use gender inclusive language?” MyPronouns.Org
This reference is meant to provide you with very basic pointers and replacement language to help avoid gender assumptions in your language.
“How do I use personal pronouns?” MyPronouns.Org
This site gives guidance about how to use personal pronouns correctly.
“Neopronouns," MyPronouns.Org
The term “neopronouns” tends to refer to pronoun sets developed from the 20th century (or sometimes 19th century) to today. To learn more, click on this link.
“Rationale for the Singular ‘They,’” Purdue University Online Writing Lab
He and she are not sufficient to describe the genders of all people, because not all people are either male or female. As such, the phrase “he or she” does not cover the full range of persons. Therefore, the alternative pronoun most commonly used is they, often referred to as singular they. To learn more, visit this site.
“’They’ Pronouns,” MyPronouns.Org
For further information on when to use the they pronoun, click on this link.

Grammarly EDU Supports Inclusive Language

Grammarly Blog: How Grammarly Supports Inclusive Language for the LGBTQIA+ Community Grammarly Spotlight
Through Grammarly EDU's delivery options, it offers suggestions to help eliminate biased language. To learn more, check out this link.

Personal Perspectives

For more information on the use of inclusive language and how it influences multiliteracy, check out the links below.

"3 Ways to Speak English" by Jamila Lyiscott
Jamila Lyiscott, an African American woman, celebrates the three Englishes she uses as she articulates her experiences with code switching, identity, and microaggressions in her riveting TEDTalk “3 Ways to Speak English."
“This Ain’t Another Statement! This is a Demand for Black Linguistic Justice” by April Baker-Bell, Chair, Bonnie J. Williams-Farrier, Davena Jackson, Lamar Johnson, Carmen Kynard, and Teaira McMurtry
Published during the Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020, this statement demands Black linguistic justice and systemic change in American schools.
“Why English Class is Silencing Students of Color” by Jamila Lyiscott
In this TEDTalk, Lyiscott advocates to oppose the policing of Standard American English and embraces the use of “liberation literacies" as a way to honor individual languages, both spoken and written.