Introduction and FAQ

Inclusive language, also referred to as conscious or bias-free language, is:

language that avoids excluding or alienating people because of any individual characteristics.
makes content more accurate.
ensures that it finds the widest possible audience.
supports the American Chemical Society’s core value of inclusion and belonging.

The following guidelines may change over time, as language is always evolving, and what is considered inclusive phrasing today may not be in the future. ACS will update this guide for accuracy, fairness, and respect for all audiences. In addition, this guide does not cover all topics related to inclusive language. When this guide conflicts with other style guides, ACS staff are encouraged to follow this guide on matters of inclusive language and images.

This resource is available to all both at www.acs.org/inclusivityguide and in the ACS Guide to Scholarly Communication. To give feedback on this guide, please email ISG@acs.org or use the Feedback button on this web page. Communicating inclusively is important to ACS, and staff and members should support each other in updating ACS materials over time. If you have suggestions for how to update content to follow these guidelines, please email inclusion@acs.org.

Please note that the guide will include examples of harmful terms, frames, and narratives. We do this to make everyone aware of what to avoid, but we recognize that these terms can be upsetting. Please engage with the content in a way that prioritizes your self-care.

How is this guide helpful?

Inclusive communication helps avoid bias. We all have implicit biases that left unchecked, can appear in our communication. The human brain is capable of change, and with awareness of those biases and purposeful work to overcome them, we can create environments that are truly inclusive of everyone.¹

Inclusive communication is more accurate. Respecting the way that people want to be described makes communication more accurate.

Inclusive communication expands your reach. Being inclusive helps you reach a wider audience. When people feel respected and included in words and images, they are more likely to engage with the content.

Inclusive communication demonstrates a commitment to inclusion and belonging. Inclusive language and images support the American Chemical Society's core value of inclusion and belonging.

1. There is much peer-reviewed research, resources, and training on the topic of implicit bias. We recommend a summary of studies on the existence of implicit bias for more information.

Possible applications of the guide

These guidelines are intended to inform users of methods to create inclusive content. Consider using this guide during the planning stages of your content so that you can incorporate an inclusivity mindset from the beginning.

These guidelines can be applied to all types of content, regardless of the topic, to avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes and attitudes. This guide incorporates perspectives on inclusive language from advocacy and journalistic groups that may have idnetified ways to be inclusive that you are unaware of.

Examples of content that this style guide can assist with creating include the following:

Program websites
Promotional brochures or marketing materials
Descriptions of grants and awards
Email campaigns
Journal articles

How should you use the guide?

While all the guidelines could apply to your material, we recommend first searching the table of contents for the sections you think are most relevant to your topic. After familiarizing yourself with those guidelines, return to relevant sections as necessary to remind yourself of the recommendations. Use the guide’s table of contents and search function to find specific entries.

Each entry contains a recommendation. If you are unsure about why the guide makes a particular recommendation, read the background section, which explains the context and motivation behind each recommendation. In addition, most entries have one or more examples showing inclusive practices, and you can find more information in the related resources at the end of each topic area and linked throughout the guide.

This guide was written by people who live and work in the US. Some of the language guidelines may not apply in the same way for content developed outside the US or for languages other than English. The principles in the “General guidelines” section regarding specificity and respect should still apply, however.

Because language is constantly evolving, the guide will be updated frequently. For this reason, we do not provide a downloadable option. The top tips for most topics are available as downloadable tip sheets.

What if you disagree with something in the guide?

When this guide falls short of its goals—when it makes people feel excluded or hinders understanding—exceptions to the guidelines may be made. If you think a guideline is out of date or requires more context, please email ISG@acs.org or click the Feedback button on this page.

How do you give feedback about the guide?

Email ISG@acs.org or click the Feedback button on this page. All feedback will be taken seriously and carefully considered. The guide will be updated as needed to incorporate new and revised information.