Rosalie Maggio (1943–2021)

This dictionary lists bias-free alternative terms to and clarification of words like spinster, manned, disabled, plus ethnic references, and more. As the author points out, it's not about oversensitivity to terms. "One of the rewards of breaking away from traditional, biased language...is a dramatic improvement in writing style" and "the fear of saying the wrong thing is the proverbial fear that springs from ignorance." After browsing this, you can see it really isn't that difficult to use bias-free language.… (més)

What ages would I recommend it too? – Twelve and up.

Length? – Resource, based on necessary chapters needed at the time.

Setting? – 1990's and previous.

Written approximately? – 1990.

Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Needs an updated version to cover email and internet etiquette.

Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? Yes.
1. Updates to cover email letters.
2. updates for blog, web, and major social site messaging.

Short storyline:
This resource covers many types of letters, how to write them, what to say, and what not to say.

What I would like to see: More information on letters to editors, agents, publishers, web site designers, graphic designers, and book marketers. Even letters to your favorite author would be nice.

Notes for the reader:
1. A good, if slightly outdated resource.
2. Watch out for the cliches. Know when to use them, and when not to. They can be good classifiers, and yet they can be boring.… (més)