Use Language That is Sensitive to Your Audience

Why is it important to use language that is sensitive to the target

audience?

When writers use language that implies a biased or judgmental

attitude, the audience may take offense and be less apt to listen to the
writer’s argument. Language that is insensitive to gender, ethnicity, or
disability should be avoided.
Use gender-inclusive language:
he or she instead of he
humankind instead of mankind
garbage collector instead of garbage man
server instead of waitress
Use correct or accepted racial and ethnic terms:
African American instead of colored or Negro
Asian instead of Oriental
American Indian or Native American instead of Indian
Native Alaskan or Inuit instead of Eskimo
Hispanic instead of Spanish
Latino instead of Mexican
Use language that respects people for who they are or recognizes a specific ailment:
persons with disabilities instead of handicapped, challenged, disabled, or retarded
visually impaired instead of blind
persons with hearing loss instead of deaf individuals
mentally ill instead of crazy, moron, or loony
those with arthritis instead of arthritis sufferers
people with diabetes instead of diabetes patients