CW: superficial discussion of PTSD; mention of common content warnings in passing.

You’ve probably seen a list like the one above at the beginning of a TV episode, or when starting a book. You might be an author asking why you need to include content warnings: “Can’t I just say ‘It’s dark?‘” That’s very vague. Not every dark piece of media explores the same topics or in the same graphic levels. Content warnings help to inform the audience about what type of sensitive material to expect, so it’s necessary to be as specific as possible. It’s hard to know what could be considered difficult for a reader, so adding a list of general content warnings of what’s included in your book is essential.

Some organizations and individuals denounce content warnings as censorship, but this accusation is often made in bad faith. Censorship is the prohibition of a piece of media and aims to prevent its consumption. Content warnings, meanwhile, give individuals a choice of when and how they want to interact with the work. 

(Content, advisory, and trigger warnings, 2022)

There was a case in 2016 when the University of Chicago sent a letter to new students against the use of content warnings, claiming they would “not condone the creation of intellectual ‘safe spaces’ where individuals can retreat from ideas and perspectives at odds with their own.” This is not at all the purpose of content warnings.

You can’t know, nor are you entitled to, a reader’s lived experiences, and it’s impossible to be all-encompassing while listing content warnings. Having said so, some themes are commonly upsetting for people and you can include those as blanket warnings without revealing much about your plot. You need to be understanding that there are topics people don’t want approach, or just do it at a certain time or circumstances.

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Aren’t they called “Trigger Warnings”?

Trigger Warnings are a specific type of Content Warnings, so the terms might overlap, but while often used interchangeably they are not the same. Trigger warnings are for individuals with PTSD (or similar conditions) whose symptoms can be prompted by exposure to certain triggers, to avoid distressing reactions.

There’s an overuse of the clinical term “trigger” that might make light of those responses, so the term “content warning” should be used instead.

Shouldn’t people dealing with trauma be exposed to those triggers?

Well, exposure therapy can help reduce symptoms (on a case-by-case basis, I’m no mental health professional and my words shouldn’t be taken as professional advice), but only when performed in a controlled environment and under the supervision of a professional. While reading can be therapeutic, most people read fiction for escapism and wouldn’t want to recall traumatic events while doing it. These triggers can be innocuous for others and very specific, so you can’t

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Why content warnings, then?

Consider content warnings an agreement of consent. People know what they’re getting into so they can make an informed decision; they can decide if they’re in the right mindset at the moment, or if that piece of media isn’t for them at all. It’s giving the reader agency to interact with certain content.

A content warning simply helps identify content for a reader. It is not a judgment about the existence of said content. In many cases, things like pregnancy, miscarriage, cancer, or death of a child are used as dramatic events in a story – catalysts for big emotional plots. This is all well and good, but a reader may not want to be surprised by them.

(Suzanne, 2019)

What if someone doesn’t want to know anything about the book they’re about to read and prefer just diving in? That’s the best part! They’re optional for the reader. They can skip the page where the warnings listed and start reading. I used to think knowing what sensitive topics to expect would be spoiler-ish, and I HATE spoilers, but I’ve found I forget about them once I’m immersed in a story. They don’t spoil the experience more than your regular summary. Also, not everyone cares as much about spoilers and rather have a safe reading experience.

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Where can I find content warnings?

You can usually check content warnings at the beginning of a book, on the author’s website, or on helpful crowdsourced sites like DoesTheDogDie.com. I try making a thorough list in my reviews for my StoryGraph account, but going forward I’ll try including them on Tiny Elf Arcanist too.

Last year I found a book I was loving… until I got to the end and found out the portrayal of the villain perpetuated awful homophobic stereotypes. I finished the book and was willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt, but they found my review and replied defensively, which made me think they actually support those views.

Content warnings generated by an author will likely miss things affected by the author’s own biases. Internalized misogyny, for example. Fatphobia is a big one. (This isn’t even to start on racism, which is something that ought to be addressed in the body of a review as well.)

The same goes for reviewers, especially if the reviewer is of a different background/experience than the author or characters. Reviewers will miss things. The most we can do is our best.

(Suzanne, 2019)

This is the reason some terms like “Harry Potter references” can be a common Content Warning. Since the author has made her principal mission to spew hate against trans women, her mention (or her works’) often brings to mind the current climate and the consequences the TERF movement has brought, for which she seems to be a spearhed. Media bringing her in a good light makes you question if the creator aligns with her.

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An addendum from Annemieke of A Dance with Books:

We are all very diverse and different people and what might not be a trigger for you, can still be one for someone else. Always consider that when you start writing down your warnings. We are listing these warnings to help others, not ourselves. Also poc might use different and more detailed trigger warnings for racial ones, which the same goes for any of these categories and the people who are affected by them. They know more on this. Remember that.

If you wish to contribute to the series, contact me via email at tinyelfarcanist@gmail.com.

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