Unlocking Tone of Voice: A Beginner's Handbook by The SEO Works - HTML preview
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Some ways to write in an inclusive tone include:
Use gender-neutral language where necessary
Using language that does not specify a person's gender, by avoiding gendered language such as "he" or "she" when referring to individuals whose gender is not known or when referring to groups of people that may include different genders. You may want to use inclusive pronouns such as "they" and "them".
“When coming to a co-parenting agreement, it’s important to put your children’s needs first. Every child deserves to spend time with their mother and father.”
“When coming to a co-parenting agreement, it’s important to put your children’s needs first. Every child deserves to spend time with both parents.”
Avoid idioms
Idioms can help add character to your writing, but where you are focused on being inclusive -you should avoid them. Many idioms are rooted in specific cultures or regions, and their meanings may not be easily understood by people from other cultures. This can make it difficult for readers from diverse backgrounds to fully understand the content. Some idioms also use language that is offensive to certain groups of people.
“The idea of studying in the UK might feel daunting at first, like you’re putting all your eggs in one basket.”
Avoid stereotypes and potentially offensive language
The use of language that reinforces stereotypes or perpetuates discrimination against certain groups of people. This includes language that is racist, sexist, ableist, or homophobic.
Use people-first language
When referring to people with disabilities, use people-first language, which emphasises the person rather than the disability. For example, say "a person with a disability" rather than "a disabled person."
Avoiding exclusive language
Be mindful of the language used and avoid using words and phrases that exclude certain groups of people.
For example, avoid saying “normal couples” when you mean “same-sex couples”.
Proofread!
Proofreading is not just for spotting spelling and grammar errors. Taking a look over your text to
check for any unintentionally offensive or exclusive language is crucial. See: Be Your Own
Grammarly: How to Edit & Proofread for Better Writing- by Natalie Mills