How to Get Inclusive Language Right
Word choices that respect people and avoid excluding or stereotyping groups based on disability, gender, race, age or other characteristics.
Dana Whitfield
What is at stake
Inclusive language helps every reader feel addressed and avoids alienating customers or communities.
The playbook
- Follow the preferences of the communities you describe
- Use gender-neutral language where gender is not relevant
- Avoid idioms that stereotype groups
- Document choices in your style guide
- Ask people from affected communities to review important content
Where it goes wrong
Avoid:
- Assuming one rule fits every community
- Mentioning characteristics that are not relevant
- Outdated or offensive terms
- Treating inclusive language as a one-time fix
The numbers behind it
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Person-first and identity-first language | preferences differ by community and individual |
| Gender-neutral terms | such as they and chairperson where appropriate |
| Plain language | complex jargon excludes readers as well |
| Style guides | many organizations document inclusive language choices |
Getting outside help
When to hand it over: Bring in help when writing about sensitive topics or updating a style guide.
Where this comes from
- PlainLanguage.gov — Federal Plain Language Guidelines
- Microsoft Learn — Bias-free communication
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
Working on something like this?
We take on Content Strategy work for teams who want it done once, properly. Tell us what you are building and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right studio for it. Start a project.
Where to go next
Spotted something wrong? Report an error on this page. We correct on the page and say what changed.
