What is Subjectivity in Writing?

S2-SA3-0335

Grade Level:

Class 5

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

Definition

What is it?

Subjectivity in writing means expressing your personal feelings, opinions, beliefs, and experiences. It's about how *you* see or feel about something, rather than just stating facts. When you write subjectively, your personality and viewpoint shine through.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you watch a cricket match between India and Australia. If you write, 'Rohit Sharma scored 50 runs,' that's a fact. But if you write, 'Rohit Sharma played a brilliant innings, truly inspiring to watch!' that's subjective because 'brilliant' and 'inspiring' are your personal opinions.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's say you need to describe your favourite festival, Diwali.

1. **Objective statement:** 'Diwali is a Hindu festival celebrated with lights, sweets, and firecrackers.' (This is a fact, true for everyone).
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2. **Adding a subjective opinion:** 'Diwali is the most exciting time of the year!' (This is *your* feeling, others might prefer Holi or Eid).
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3. **Adding a personal experience:** 'I love Diwali because my whole family gathers, and we make delicious gujiya together.' (This is *your* personal experience and emotion).
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4. **Adding a personal preference:** 'The sound of firecrackers on Diwali night is so joyful and makes me feel truly happy.' (This is *your* feeling about the sound, someone else might find it noisy).

**Answer:** The statements 'Diwali is the most exciting time of the year!', 'I love Diwali because my whole family gathers, and we make delicious gujiya together,' and 'The sound of firecrackers on Diwali night is so joyful and makes me feel truly happy' all show subjectivity because they express personal feelings, experiences, and preferences.

Why It Matters

Understanding subjectivity helps you express yourself clearly and persuasively. It's crucial for careers like journalism, where you write opinion pieces, or in law, where you argue a case from a particular viewpoint. Even in social sciences, understanding different subjective experiences is key to studying human behaviour.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Thinking subjectivity means making things up. | CORRECTION: Subjectivity means sharing *your true feelings or opinions*, not inventing facts. Your opinions should still be based on some reality, even if it's your personal reality.

MISTAKE: Confusing subjective writing with always being emotional. | CORRECTION: While emotions are subjective, subjectivity also includes personal preferences, interpretations, and viewpoints that aren't necessarily highly emotional. For example, 'Mangoes are the best fruit' is subjective but not overly emotional.

MISTAKE: Believing subjective writing has no place in academic essays. | CORRECTION: While many academic essays require objective reporting, some types, like argumentative essays or personal reflections, specifically ask for your subjective analysis, interpretation, or opinion, backed by evidence.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Which of these sentences is subjective? A) Delhi is the capital of India. B) The new metro line is very convenient for commuters. | ANSWER: B) The new metro line is very convenient for commuters.

QUESTION: Write a subjective sentence about your school lunch. | ANSWER: (Example) The aloo paratha in our school canteen is absolutely delicious and my favourite meal!

QUESTION: Read this sentence: 'The traffic in Bengaluru can be quite challenging, especially during peak hours.' Is this subjective or objective? Explain why. | ANSWER: This is subjective. The word 'challenging' is a personal interpretation of the traffic situation. While many might agree, it's still an opinion or feeling about the difficulty, not a purely measurable fact.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of the following sentences shows subjectivity?

The sun rises in the east.

Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

Biryani is the most flavourful dish in Indian cuisine.

There are 29 states and 8 union territories in India.

The Correct Answer Is:

Option C expresses a personal opinion ('most flavourful') about biryani, which is subjective. Options A, B, and D are all objective facts that can be proven true.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

You see subjectivity everywhere, from movie reviews on IMDb or BookMyShow, where critics share their personal opinions about films, to political debates on news channels where leaders express their party's viewpoint. Even when your friend tells you, 'This new app is so much better than the old one,' they're being subjective, sharing their personal preference.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

OPINION: A personal view or judgment not necessarily based on fact or knowledge. | BELIEF: An acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists. | EXPERIENCE: The process of personally encountering or living through something. | PERSUASION: The action or process of convincing someone to believe or do something. | INTERPRETATION: The action of explaining the meaning of something.

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand subjectivity, you can explore 'What is Objectivity in Writing?'. Learning about objectivity will help you differentiate between facts and opinions, making your writing more balanced and powerful. Keep practicing your writing!