The Conscious Style Guide

An adaptable guide for anyone who wants to communicate with compassion in a rapidly changing environment. Most of us want to choose inclusive, respectful, and empowering language when communicating with or about others. But language — and how we use it — continually evolves, along with cultural norms. When contradictory opinions muddle our purpose, how do we align our word choices with our beliefs? Who has the final say when people disagree? And why is it so hard to let go of certain words? Afraid of getting something wrong or offending, we too often treat specific words as right or wrong, regardless of context and nuance. Thankfully, The Conscious Style Guide provides a roadmap for communicating with sensitivity and awareness — no matter how the world around us progresses. Readers will learn: How to identify biased language How to implement the overarching principles that guide us toward conscious language How to adopt conscious language as a tool for self-awareness and empowerment How to alleviate the stress of experiencing exclusionary language How to create a style sheet and reference stack to help support your practice And much more With practical advice and hundreds of relatable examples, The Conscious Style Guide invites us to weigh contradictions, examine the pitfalls of binary thinking, and explore truly effective communication — in all aspects of our lives.