CONTENTS FEATURE: Use of 'refugees' a reminder about connotations GRAMMAR COACH: Fielding your questions NET NOTES: Captivating Web sites FINDER'S FEE: Recommend a friend—and earn up to $500 FEATURE: Use of term 'refugees' is a reminder to consider connotations      In addition to wielding death and widespread destruction after striking the U.S. Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, Hurricane Katrina precipitated a linguistic controversy. As frightened residents sought to leave the Gulf Coast, many government officials, along with print and broadcasting journalists, began calling them "refugees."      That term aroused a wave of objections from readers, viewers and civil rights leaders who said use of "refugee" was laden with political overtones as well as bigotry. "To see them as refugees is to see them as other than Americans, and that is inaccurate, unfair and racist," charged the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson in Baton Rouge, La. When National Urban League President Marc Morial—a former New Orleans mayor—appeared on NBC-TV's "Meet the Press," he told program host Tim Russert, "Let's not refer to them as refugees. They're citizens. They're survivors." At a Congressional Black Caucus press conference, Rep. Diane Watson of California said, "'Refugee' calls up to mind people that come from different lands and have to be taken care of. These are American citizens." Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland said, "They are not refugees. I hate that word." Civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton similarly declared, "They are not refugees. They are citizens of the United States."      In response to that and other criticism, the Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, the Miami Herald, the Washington Post, National Public Radio and numerous other news organizations became more guarded about using the word "refugees" and instead more frequently referred to evacuees, victims, survivors, people displaced by the hurricane, internally displaced persons, or even diaspora—a term for dispersion of an originally homogenous group of people into areas away from their native land.      Declaring that "evacuees" was a more appropriate term than "refugees," Miami Herald Executive Editor Tom Fiedler wrote, "In addition to political implications, the latter implies that the people cannot return, which isn't the case for all."      The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) issued a statement encouraging editors to use "evacuees," "victims" or "survivors," saying its recommendation was based upon examination of the origins of "refugee" and its "specific application in the context of those seeking political refuge."      Not all news media outlets agreed, however. The New York Times and Associated Press editors insisted that their use of "refugees" was appropriate. Some defenders of the term pointed to its use in connection with the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s, during which thousands of Americans who fled drought-ravaged farmlands of Oklahoma, Kansas and other Great Plains states sought refuge in California.      Some defenders of the use of "refugee" argued that the term "victims" was not necessarily appropriate for people displaced by the hurricane because victims include people who survived as well as those who died. They also insisted that people cannot be evacuees unless others evacuate them—physically remove them from danger.      Webster's New World Dictionary, favored by journalists, defines "refugee" as "a person who flees from home or country to seek refuge elsewhere, as in a time of war or of political or religious persecution." The American Heritage Dictionary concurs.      While that may be the denotation of "refugee," the controversy arose from its connotations. Many people equate the term with a person in exile, an expatriate, an immigrant or a migrant.      Webster's Collegiate Dictionary validates that interpretation. It describes a refugee as "one that flees; especially a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution."      Some defenders of the use of "refugees" maintain that definition makes it appropriate for displaced Gulf Coast residents because they were forced to flee from the incompetence of government agencies they had trusted to protect them.      Detractors insist that "refugee" is inappropriate to use in reference to the people of the Gulf Coast who were forced to seek food and shelter after their homes and businesses were inundated or destroyed. They say that "refugee" brings to mind people who have no intention to return to their native land from which they fled, such as the persecuted people who escaped from Nazi Germany in the 1930s and '40s.      The term "environmental refugees" has emerged as a compromise.      In a posting on an Internet discussion board, one displaced New Orleans resident said she prefers to think of herself as a survivor because it "has a connotation of strength and endurance."      The impassioned controversy over use of the term "refugee" offers a lesson applicable to business. Terminology used in the workplace and in marketing should be chosen carefully. Here are eight examples. A business executive who stresses the need for her company to exploit opportunities in the marketplace may unwittingly offend people who are members of groups that historically have been victims of exploitation. Although photographers may speak of manipulating light and music students may strive to properly manipulate pitch, "manipulation" is a term that can cause discomfort in the context of interpreting data or tilting opinion. Because of the association of the term "user" with drug abuse, some software designers have observed that people may object to its use in connection with computer software. Yet "consumer" or "customer" may not necessarily apply to people whose office computers are loaded with software purchased by their employers. On an Internet discussion board, a software engineer suggested "software client" or "software operator" as more palatable choices. The chief executive officer of an electronics corporation prohibited the term "employees" in reference to people on the payroll. He required supervisors to call them "workers" because he regarded "employee" as a passive term that suggested entitlement to benevolent treatment rather than emphasizing performance of duties. Many employees—or workers—refer to their supervisors as "boss," a term that can be construed as uncomplimentary, alluding to intimidation and harassment. A formally worded memo directing one staff member to "instruct" a co-worker to initiate a procedure triggered an unpleasant response. The co-worker, who took offense to the term "instruct," said she would have reacted far more favorably to being "asked" to perform the job. A utility company frequently refers to its customers as "rate payers," seemingly suggesting that they're viewed more as sources of revenue than as consumers. Knowing that consumers may resent being regarded merely as "targets" of marketing strategies, executives might wisely consider a more diplomatic, less impersonal reference—such as "products designed to serve markets."      None of these examples of questionable terminology appeared to reflect any malicious intent. Yet some people interpret them as insulting. To avoid creating discontent, consider more than literal dictionary definitions of terms you use in writing. Take the time to carefully consider the potential connotations of your words, and how they may be construed by people who read them. We're getting bio-feedback. Clients recently have assigned us to projects related to corporate biographies, medical bioassays, biosolid waste products and biomass energy production. EditPros can help you write, edit and publish your materials as well. GRAMMAR COACH: Fielding your questions Karen Dolder submitted this month's question:      "Is "comprise" ever used correctly as an intransitive verb? If so, could you send me an example?" The grammar coach replies:      Your question reveals that you appreciate the distinctions between the verbs "comprise" and "compose," which are differentiated by voice. "Comprise" exists only as a transitive verb—that is, it transfers action to a direct object. Although "compose" can be used transitively or intransitively, its use as an intransitive verb is rare.      The verb "thrive," for example, is an intransitive verb (as in "the cactus thrived"), while "kick" is a transitive verb (as in "Fred kicked the ball").      The verb "comprise" cannot exist intransitively (as in, for example, "California comprises."). It must comprise SOMETHING, in the form of a direct object; addition of a direct object defines it as a transitive verb.      The verb "compose" can be used in either the active voice ("Elmer composed a poem") or the passive voice ("California is composed of 58 counties"). The verb "comprise," however, is most commonly accepted only in the active voice ("the downtown area comprises 15 square blocks"). Some slippage from that distinction has occurred, however.      The Merriam-Webster dictionary says that although "comprise" has been used in passive voice since the late 18th century (as in, "the downtown area is comprised of 15 blocks"), grammarians continued to disparage such use. While the dictionary legitimizes passive constructions involving "comprise," it cautions that such use may subject a writer to criticism.      We advise retention of the distinction between the two verbs—that is, using "comprise" only as a synonym for the verb "contain," in the active voice.      If you're uncertain about whether to use "comprise" or "compose," the verb "constitute" often can come to the rescue, as in: "15 square blocks constitute the downtown area."      Thanks for submitting your question, Karen.      Are you perplexed by some aspect of grammar or word usage? Don't be shy! Ask the "grammar coach" at EditPros and we'll try to help—at no charge, just for the sport of it. NET NOTES: Captivating Internet resources NABJ style manual      Consult the on-line style guide prepared by the National Association of Black Journalists for suggestions on treatment of sensitive terminology relevant to African-American readers and news reporters. NABJ's recommendations also can be useful to business communicators, researchers and students. Grants.gov      This site, operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, consolidates information for more than 1,000 grant programs administered by 26 federal agencies. A search function enables visitors to identify and apply for grant opportunities relevant to their interests. State, local and tribal government officials, academic researchers and personnel affiliated with nonprofit organizations may subscribe here to an e-mail list that issues notifications about newly established grants. Places Online      The Association of American Geographers, based in Washington, D.C., has identified what it calls the "world's very best place-based" Web sites offering original content focusing on cities, towns, neighborhoods, regions or routes. Visitors may navigate to selected sites by clicking on maps or by searching using key words or phrases. FINDER'S FEE: Recommend a friend—and earn a finder's fee of up to $500      Do you know of a friend or colleague whose office can benefit from EditPros services? If you do, EditPros may reward you with a "finder's fee" of up to $500.           EditPros, established in 1993, performs writing, editing, proofreading and publication management services for newsletters, brochures, Web sites, annual reports, research studies, business proposals and other informational and marketing materials. 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