Avoiding Biased Language Learn to Write in a new, refreshing way Updated 7/7/16 SPT

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Avoiding Stereotypes However, a woman can also be an engineer! Say that you plan to write about an engineer. Perhaps your first thought is that a typical example of an engineer would be male. However, a woman can also be an engineer! Often, writers opt for the stereotype that women are less likely or even unable to obtain a particular position or not participate in certain activities. Women and men both have the capabilities to think, analyze, synthesize, and produce great works!

Avoiding Stereotypes Instead of using these examples that perpetuate stereotypes, exemplify cases that challenge them. This practice produces more effective, unbiased writing.

Stereotypes and “Normality” Normal is defined by conforming to a standard; the usual, typical, or expected outcome of a situation. Many social factors can effect what we perceive as “normal” or “abnormal.”

So What’s Normal? Watch out for assumptions about what is “normal.” Promoting assumptions about what’s “normal” or “regular” can reinforce bias and imply that others are “abnormal.” Calling one person or group “normal” implies that others are “abnormal.” Therefore, individuals should apply the rule of cultural relativism when writing. Cultural relativism: the view that no culture is superior to any other culture when comparing systems of morality, law, politics, etc. the philosophical notion that all cultural beliefs are equally valid and that truth itself is relative, depending on the cultural environment all religious, ethical, aesthetic, and political beliefs are relative to the individual within a cultural identity

So What’s Normal? Problematic Norm Example: Inclusive Language Example: Gloria Nunez isn’t like the regular sprinters at the Greater Detroit Meet; while other runners gingerly settle their feet in to the blocks, Nunez plants her prosthetic foot in the block and waits for the starting gun. Gloria Nunez is one sprinter at the Greater Detroit Meet who might surprise you; while other runners gingerly settle their feet into the blocks, Nunez plants her prosthetic foot in the block and waits for the starting gun. The first examples emphasizes that Gloria Nunez is not like the regular sprinters at the Greater Detroit Meet because she has a disability. This exclusionary language can create a bias that further enforces ideas of what people are accepted as socially “normal” or “abnormal.” As Sharon Gerson and Steven Gerson state in “Technical Communication: Process and Product (8th Edition),” “respecting diversity is the right thing to do” and “people should be treated equally, regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, culture or religion” (Gerson 87). Avoiding the bias of using negative language promotes inclusivity for all groups and their experiences.

Using Inclusive Language Gender-Inclusive Language Gender refers to the designated identity applied to people by society, generally dependent on assigned sex and often perceived as a binary of male and female. The following offers some tips to avoid gender bias in writing.

Using Inclusive Language Gender-Inclusive Language Terms like “woman doctor” and “male nurse” imply that a woman working as a doctor and a man working as a nurse are abnormal. Instead, simply write “doctor” or “nurse.” Use Gender-Neutral Names for Professions Professional titles that indicate gender—chairman, waitress—falsely imply that the gender of the person doing the job changes the essence of the job being done. In these cases , use neutral titles such as “chairperson” or “server.”

Using Inclusive Language Inclusivity Regarding Race and Ethnicity Use the terms for racial and ethnic groups that the groups use for themselves. For example, use “black” about members of the Black Coaches’ Association and “African American” to write about members of the Society for African American Brotherhood.

Word Choice and Euphemisms Word choice implies that the writers are sensitive to their audience when producing a text. Utilizing a particular phrase or word(s) that are considered “safe word(s)” will promote a writer’s credibility and avoid alienating the audience. View these examples from Cliffs Quick Review Writing: Grammar, Usage, and Style. Negative Word Euphemism Examples Prison Pregnant Dead Body Correctional Facility Expecting Remains Example 1: He was sent to prison for his dysfunction in society. Revision: He was sent to a correctional facility for his dysfunction in society. Example 2: The 17-year-old, teenage girl shared with her family during the holidays that she was pregnant. Revision: The 17-year-old, teenage girl shared that she was expecting during the holidays. Example 3: The investigation team found the dead body. Revision: The investigation team found the remains.

Avoid Exclusive Nouns and Pronouns Word Choice Avoid Exclusive Nouns and Pronouns Avoid the use masculine nouns and pronouns to refer to both men and women. “He, his, him, man,” and “mankind” are outmoded and inaccurate terms for both genders. Eliminating “man” and “mankind” is as easy as replacing “boy” with “child” or “men” with “people.” However, eliminating the pronouns “he,” “his,” and “him” when referring to both men and women is more complicated.

Avoid Exclusive Nouns and Pronouns Word Choice Avoid Exclusive Nouns and Pronouns Make the noun and its corresponding pronoun plural. The pronoun will change from he, him, or his to they, them, or theirs. “An undercover agent won’t reveal his identity” becomes “Undercover agents won’t reveal their identities.”

Avoid Exclusive Nouns and Pronouns Word Choice Avoid Exclusive Nouns and Pronouns 2. Replace the pronoun with a better word. “Anyone who wants to rent scuba gear must have his certification” becomes “Anyone who wants to rent scuba gear must have diver certification.”

Eliminate Bias When Writing About Sexual Orientation Word Choice Eliminate Bias When Writing About Sexual Orientation Sexual orientation refers to variations on the spectrum of sexual attraction that occur among individuals, such homosexuality, bisexuality, pansexuality, and asexuality. A lexicon of both formal and informal terms exist to describe these identities. In context, these terms can carry a variety of connotations.

Eliminate Bias When Writing About Sexual Orientation Word Choice Eliminate Bias When Writing About Sexual Orientation For instance, referring to people who are homosexual as “gays” can lead to confusion. At times, the term connotes men and women. Sometimes, it just refers to men. Instead, use “gay men” and “lesbians.” Remember: the writer’s guiding principle is to refer to these groups with the terms they prefer.

Using Inclusive Language Utilizing Inclusive Language Regarding Heritage If you are still in doubt, err on the side of specificity. For instance, while “Latin(o/a),” “Hispanic,” and “Chican(o/a)” are all frequently accepted terms for many people, a term that identifies a specific country (Mexican or Puerto Rican) would be more accurate.

Using Inclusive Language Utilizing Inclusive Language Regarding Heritage When discussing an American’s heritage, often the best term to use is the country of origin plus the word “American,” as in “Swedish American.”

Using Inclusive Language Utilizing Inclusive Language With Disabilities People with Disabilities The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th Ed.) offers good advice about putting people first, not their disability. Write “people who are blind,” not “blind people.”

Using Inclusive Language Utilizing Inclusive Language for Different Ages People of Different Ages Avoid bias by choosing accurate terms to describe age. Whenever possible, use the person’s age rather than an adjective (elderly or older), which might offend.

Using Inclusive Language Utilizing Inclusive Language for Different Religions People of Different Religions Avoid making assumptions about someone’s beliefs or practices based on religious affiliations. For example, even though the Vatican opposes capital punishment, many Roman Catholics support it. Likewise, not all Jewish men wear yarmulkes. Tremendous variation exists within every person of faith, which makes generalizations questionable.

References "Cultural Relativism." Cultural Relativism. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2016. Eggenschwiler, Jean. CliffsQuickReview Writing: Grammar, Usage, and Style. N.p.: John Wiley & Sons, 2001. Print. Gerson, Sharon J., and Steven M. Gerson. Technical Communication: Process and Product. Boston, MA: Prentice Hall, 2012. Print. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, 2001. Print. Get with Esther and find out where she got her images from!