What is Objectivity in Writing?

S2-SA3-0334

Grade Level:

Class 5

NLP, Law, History, Social Sciences, Literature, Journalism, Communication

Definition

What is it?

Objectivity in writing means presenting facts and information without letting your personal feelings, opinions, or biases influence what you write. It's about showing things as they are, not as you wish them to be. Think of it like a camera lens capturing a scene exactly as it appears.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you are writing a report about the number of students who scored above 90% in your school's Class 10 board exams. An objective report would simply state the exact number, say '150 students scored above 90%'. A subjective statement might say, 'A fantastic number of students, 150, scored above 90%!', adding personal judgment ('fantastic').

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's say you need to write a news report about a recent cricket match between India and Australia.

Step 1: Gather facts. India scored 250 runs. Australia scored 245 runs. India won by 5 runs. Virat Kohli scored 80 runs.

---Step 2: Identify personal feelings or opinions. You might feel very happy India won, or think Virat Kohli is the best player ever.

---Step 3: Remove personal feelings. Do not write 'India bravely fought to victory' or 'Virat Kohli, the king of cricket, smashed 80 runs'.

---Step 4: Write only the facts. State what happened clearly and directly.

---Step 5: Review for bias. Check if any words imply your preference for one team or player.

---Answer: 'India defeated Australia by 5 runs in yesterday's match. India scored 250 runs, while Australia managed 245 runs. Virat Kohli was the top scorer for India with 80 runs.'

Why It Matters

Objectivity is super important in many fields because it builds trust and ensures fairness. Journalists, lawyers, and scientists rely on objective reporting to present accurate information. It's crucial for understanding the world truthfully and making fair decisions.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Adding personal opinions or judgments to factual statements. For example, writing 'The new metro station is amazing!' | CORRECTION: Stick to facts. Write 'The new metro station opened today and has three platforms.'

MISTAKE: Using emotionally charged words that reveal your feelings. For example, writing 'The terrible pollution is destroying our city.' | CORRECTION: Use neutral language. Write 'Air pollution levels have increased in the city.'

MISTAKE: Only presenting information that supports one side of an argument, even if other facts exist. | CORRECTION: Present all relevant facts fairly, even those that might not align with your personal view.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Which of these sentences is objective? A) 'The delicious biryani stall is very popular.' B) 'The biryani stall serves chicken and mutton biryani.' | ANSWER: B

QUESTION: Rewrite the following sentence to be more objective: 'The difficult math test made everyone struggle.' | ANSWER: 'The math test had an average score of 55%.' (or similar factual statement)

QUESTION: You are writing a school notice about the annual sports day. Which of these two statements is more objective and why? 1) 'The fantastic sports day saw everyone having a blast!' 2) 'The annual sports day was held on March 10th and included races and team games.' | ANSWER: Statement 2 is more objective because it focuses on facts (date, activities) without adding personal opinions or feelings ('fantastic', 'having a blast').

MCQ

Quick Quiz

What is the main goal of objective writing?

To persuade the reader to agree with your viewpoint

To entertain the reader with interesting stories

To present facts and information without personal bias

To express strong personal feelings and emotions

The Correct Answer Is:

The main goal of objective writing is to present facts and information impartially, without personal bias. Options A, B, and D describe subjective writing goals or other writing styles.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you read news articles on platforms like NDTV or The Hindu, the best journalists strive for objectivity. Similarly, when a police officer writes a First Information Report (FIR) about an incident, they must be objective, stating only facts and avoiding personal assumptions to ensure fairness in law.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

BIAS: A personal preference or prejudice for or against something | FACT: A piece of information that can be proven true | OPINION: A personal belief or judgment that is not necessarily based on fact | NEUTRAL: Not supporting any side in a disagreement | IMPARTIAL: Treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and unbiased

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Next, you can explore 'Subjectivity in Writing'. Understanding subjectivity will help you see the difference even more clearly and know when it's okay to share your personal thoughts and feelings in your writing!