Appropriateness
It is important to decide what tone
you want to use to influence your audience's response.
Incorrect
It's too bad Frank's brother has AIDS. It's nasty to see him sick as a
dog and covered with lesions.
Taking an informal or humorous approach to
a terminal illness is inappropriate.
Correct
It's too bad Frank's brother has AIDS. It's hard to see him suffering
so badly.
You must determine whether to use formal
language.
Incorrect
Dear Representative Wilson,
I think what you said at Thursday's town meeting was stupid. Maybe you
should have gotten a little more info on the death penalty debate
before you went in on it.
Take it easy,
Joe Donovan
In a written letter to a public person,
you should use formal language.
Correct
Dear Representative Wilson,
I disagree with what you said about the death penalty at Thursday's
town meeting. The death penalty is a complex issue, and I am concerned
that you may have mislead people with some inaccurate facts. If you
would like to talk about this further, please do give me a call.
Sincerely,
Joe Donovan
Be sure to avoid jargon
and euphemisms.
Incorrect
Before we can adopt an itinerary for our recreational destination, we
must determine the parameters of our financial limitations and
capabilities.
Jargon and euphemisms often mislead and
confuse readers. When in doubt, choose the clearest, most accurate
language possible.
Correct
Before we can plan our family vacation, we have to decide on a budget.
Avoid slang in formal writing.
Incorrect
You should take Ms. Thibault's class. She's cool and she doesn't wig
out when you don't turn stuff in.
Seek words that are usual but exact.
Correct
You should take Ms. Thibault's class. She has a positive attitude and
doesn't get upset about missing assignments.
Avoid cliché.
Here are a few common examples of
clichéd language:
| above and beyond the
call of duty |
in my wildest dreams |
| beyond a shadow of a
doubt |
last but not least |
| bosom buddies |
make a long story short |
| burn the midnight oil |
on the ball |
| cool as a cucumber |
sell like hotcakes |
| dead as a doornail |
slow as molasses |
| hard as a rock |
tip of the iceberg |
| high as a kite |
tried but true |
Bias-Free Language
Avoid terms that include or imply man.
Incorrect
Since the beginning of civilization, man has experimented with dance,
poetry, and song.
In such cases, find an alternative that
includes women as well as men.
Correct
Since the beginning of civilization, humans have experimented with
dance, poetry, and song.
Avoid condescending or possibly
offensive labels.
Incorrect
The Oriental bank teller asked me if I needed any help.
When describing any group, use the label
or term that the members of that group prefer.
Correct
The Asian bank teller asked me if I needed any help.
(Also ask yourself whether the label is necessary. In this example, it
may not be.)
Incorrect
The girls at work bought me a birthday card and
flowers.
Do not use names that imply that a group
of people are not taken seriously.
Correct
The women at work bought me a birthday card and flowers.
