Sensitivity and Inclusion in Copywriting, Content Creation and Editing

Sensitivity

There are many different interpretations of sensitivity, even within the same dictionary. For example, the Cambridge Dictionary defines sensitivity as ‘the fact of a situation, subject, etc. needing to be dealt with carefully in order to avoid upsetting people’, but also as ‘the quality of being easily influenced, changed, or damaged, esp. by a physical activity or effect’, and

‘…an ability to understand what other people need, and be helpful to them’.

Sensitivity, Cambridge Dictionary website, accessed 13 February 2024.

This last meaning is one that I resonate deeply with, and which I try to bring into my work as a writer and proofreader.

Inclusion

Another very important value to me on a personal and professional level. Honestly, I feel arrogant even writing that, because I am hyper-aware of my privilege as a non-disabled person born into a developed country, and I think inclusion should be the rule, not the exception. Unfortunately, this is not yet the reality of our society. But, I believe, we are getting there.

So, what is inclusion?

‘Inclusion means that people across varying identities are and feel valued, welcomed, respected, included, represented, and heard and that they fully belong, can be authentic, can contribute to the collective, and have a voice.’

Inclusion in the Workplace, National University website, accessed 13 February 2024.

I really like the above definition.

Writing and Proofreading for Sensitivity and Inclusion

Taking the above into account, writing and proofreading for sensitivity and inclusion is ensuring that the work represents groups of people in a way that doesn’t diminish their humanity by painting them in a stereotypical way, or making assumptions about them based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other single characteristic.

This doesn’t just apply to non-fiction, such as report writing and research papers, but also creative writing. Because whilst creative writing has no hard and fast rules, it also holds a lot of power to shape the way that readers view the world, and the way we perceive our environment does affect the way we walk within it.

To state the obvious, writing and proofreading for inclusion is about ensuring that language doesn’t exclude groups of people. For example, using ‘police officer’ instead of ‘policeman’, unless talking about a specific person, includes police officers of all genders in representations of this profession.

Why are Sensitivity and Inclusion important in Content Creation?

Just to be clear, what I mean by content creation is the writing, editing, and images that go into the copy and content you create for your business. This could be documents, books, e-books, website content, newsletters, and social media marketing content.

I think the first question to ask yourself, as a creative- or community-minded entrepreneur, or as a community organisation, is: why are sensitivity and inclusion important to me?

For Southern Harbour, the reason that sensitivity and inclusion are important is because I value equality and compassion, and I want to be a part of working toward a world where every being feels safe, respected, seen, and heard.

I’m actively educating myself; we are all learning together. I even re-wrote a part of this blog after proofreading it, because I used the term ‘able-bodied’ until I learned that the term ‘non-disabled’ is better. It makes sense: not all disabilities are physical.

What about you? If you’d like to continue this conversation by sharing your reasons with me, then head on over to my Facebook or Instagram page, give them a like and follow, and leave a comment.

And if you’d like some help in creating sensitive and inclusive content, then please email me at jodie@southernharbour.org to discuss your needs.