Related Links
Quiz
Choose the most appropriate word from a list. Provided by Language Portal of Canada.
Quiz
Correct a sentence by using gender neutral language and compare your version to the quiz’s version. Prepared by Shannon Puglisi, a student in Professor Karyn Hollis's Tutor Training course at Villanova University in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Gender-neutral language tips
Avoiding sexist mistakes without introducing grammatical or stylistic ones. Dennis G. Jerz, Associate Professor English -- New Media Journalism, Seton Hill University, Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
Guidelines for gender-fair use of language
Includes options for making language more inclusive when quoting from passages that are dated and/or contain nonequitable language. National Council of Teachers of English.
A handout on gender issues
Provides suggestions for appropriately expressing gender relationships by The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Guidelines for racial identification
Keith Woods, Dean of Faculty, The Poynter Institute.
Avoiding misconceptions about people with disabilities
Links developed to put the media in touch with credible sources on people with disabilities and related issues. The Society of Professional Journalists.
Helpful language when talking about adoption
Sara Kiesler, currently Communications Coordinator at Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest.
"Being Retarded" (Herding Cats blog)
Respectful language when talking about development. Phoebe Holmes, mother of four delightfully quirky kids, one of whom has some special needs.
Should you say "latino" or "hispanic" – and how do you know? National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ).
Avoiding dehumanizing terms regarding immigration
Language issues related to immigration. National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ).
"It's Okay to be Neither"
Interesting article about dealing with gender stereotypes with elementary students by Melissa Bollow Tempel.
Help with the sometimes confusing topic of transgender terminology:
- Media Reference Guide: A Resource for Journalists
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). - Terminology
Transgender Commission in partnership with the GLBTA Programs Office at the University of Minnesota.
Many colleges and universities have style guides or policies. Look for a writing center or study center at the college or university website. Here's an example:
A handout on gender issues
Provides suggestions for appropriately expressing gender relationships by The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Books and Style Guides
These are some of the many books available.
- Equality in Print: a Guide for Editors and Publishers. Chicago Women in Publishing, 1978.
- Faigley, Lester B., The Brief Penguin Handbook with Exercises, 4th edition. Longman, 2012.
- Frank, Francine Harriet Wattman and Frank Anshen, Language and the Sexes. State University of New York Press, 1985.
- Frank, Francine Harriet Wattman and Paula A. Treichler, Language, Gender, and Professional Writing: Theoretical Approaches and Guidelines for Nonsexist Usage. Modern Language Association of America, 1989.
- Miller, Casey and Kate Swift, Handbook of Nonsexist Writing for Writers, Editors, and Speakers, 2nd edition. iUniverse, 2001.
- Miller, Casey and Kate Swift, Words and Women (updated). iUniverse, 2001.
- Schwartz, Marilyn. Guidelines for Bias-Free Writing. Task Force on Bias-Free Language of the Association of American University Presses, 1995.
- Gender Sensitive Reporting Manual, UNESCO, 2001. Can be downloaded at Soul Beat Africa.