Subjective Vs. ObjectiveWriting

Subjective Writing

When writers emphasize or

share their own personal feelings,

thoughts, judgments, and opinions, their

writing is defined as subjective.

Subjective Information is:

• An opinion, judgment, assumption, belief, rumor, suspicion

• Varies from person-to-person and change day-to-day

• Able to take on a life of its own• Sometimes can be completely false

Subjective Writing

Subjective writing is found in:

• personal essays

• autobiographies

• editorial section of newspapers where journalists express their opinions about news events.

Objective Writing

Objective writing

presents facts and figures only. It does not include the writer’s beliefs or feelings.

Objective Information is:

• Observable: able to be seen, heard, touched, smelled, tasted

• Factual• As close to the truth as possible• Helpful when making decisions

Objective Writing

• Journalists who report the news write in an objective style.

• They stick to the facts and figures of the events they report.

• Their purpose is strictly to inform the readers.

• Objective writing is also found in textbooks.

Warning!• Some texts may combine objective

writing and subjective writing.• For example, a biographer may

include his or her opinion of the person about whom he or she is writing, as well as report the facts regarding that person’s life.

• It is important to recognize which segments are written objectively and which are written subjectively.

Warning!

• Likewise, an inexperienced or unprofessional journalist may inadvertently or purposely mix actual facts related to a news event and his or her own opinions of that occurrence.

• Again, it is the reader’s responsibilityto distinguish fact from opinion.

Subjective or Objective?

• Tim was afraid to enter the child care center.

• Tim had a look of fear on his face as his father led him through the door of the center.

Subjective or Objective?

• Jason has red hair, blue eyes, and freckles.

• Jason is a cute kid.

Subjective Objective

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*Now find 3 subjective & 3 objective details from “Harriet Tubman: Guide to Freedom.”