subjective vs objective essay

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Subjective vs. Objective: What's the Difference?

Hannah Yang

If you’re trying to write a strong essay or story, it’s often important to understand the difference between subjective and objective truth.

What exactly do the words subjective and objective mean, and when should you use each?

This article will explain the difference between the two words, provide examples of how they’re used in a sentence, and discuss whether you should look for objective or subjective information to support your own writing.

• What’s the Difference Between Subjective vs. Objective?

How Would You Use Objective and Subjective in a Sentence?

What are some examples of objective statements, what are some examples of subjective information, how can you tell if something is objective or subjective, what is an objective opinion, are impartial facts better than personal feelings, what’s the difference between subjective vs. objective .

The difference between objective and subjective is related to the difference between facts and opinions.

The word objective describes information that’s based on verifiable facts. Objective truth can be verified by a third party, regardless of who the third party is.

For example, the sentence “The temperature outside is around 10°C” is an objective statement, because that statement will be equally true no matter who says it. Anybody in the world with a working thermometer could verify this statement.

The word subjective is the exact opposite; it describes information that’s based on personal opinion or personal interpretation.

Subjective truth might be different for different people, depending on their own tastes, preferences, or experiences.

The sentence “It’s very cold outside” is a subjective statement, because how true this sentence is depends on personal opinions and experiences.

Many temperatures would feel very cold to someone who grew up in Arizona, but comfortably warm to someone who grew up in Alaska.

One easy way to remember the difference between the two words is to remember that “objective” sounds like “object.”

Objective facts are as concrete as the objects you can touch, like your desk, your bike, or your water bottle.

Subjective facts, on the other hand, pertain to more abstract concepts, like beauty, joy, or discomfort.

Here’s an example of a sentence that uses both objective and subjective in context:

"But now we, as pathologists, need more objective measures because symptoms, to a certain degree, are subjective ." (Time)

This sentence, a quote from a pathologist, argues that symptoms of diseases are somewhat subjective because they differ from person to person.

One patient with the flu might feel horribly nauseous, while another patient with the same flu might feel only a mild cough.

As a result, it’s useful for doctors to have objective tools to determine how ill people are, which don’t have results that vary from person to person.

That way, they can track the way a disease spreads even if not all patients feel the same symptoms.

Let’s look at another example.

"We take our unruly, subjective feelings about a year of television and groom them into something that looks mathematical and objective ." (Slate)

This sentence, a quote from a TV critic, argues that trying to rank TV shows is a meaningless task.

Every viewer has different tastes; some might love lighthearted sitcoms, while others prefer serious dramas.

There’s no objective way for a TV critic to determine a Top 10 list that applies to everybody, because everyone’s tastes and enjoyment levels are inherently subjective.

If what you’re writing can be proven or disproven by evidence, it’s an objective statement. Likewise, if you include a reference to an study or an experiment, it is an objective statement.

Remember to always reference information like this. ProWritingAid’s Plagiarism Checker can ensure that you never inadvertently pass off someone else’s work as your own.

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Here are some examples of objective information:

• The largest freshwater fish ever caught was 646 pounds. (Cite- Brittanica)
• Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president of the United States.
• The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020.
• I have eaten the plums that were in the icebox.

Keep in mind that those statements would still be considered objective even if they were false.

It’s a common mistake to assume that “objective” is synonymous with “true,” but lies can be objective statements, too. The statement remains objective as long as it doesn’t depend on feelings or opinions.

For example, if William Carlos Williams had written “I didn’t eat any of the plums that were in the icebox,” even though he actually did, that would still qualify as an objective statement.

Here are some examples of false objective statements:

• Abraham Lincoln was the first president of the United States.
• The World Health Organization has never issued an official statement about COVID-19.
• I didn’t eat any of the plums that were in the icebox.

If a statement relies on personal feelings or beliefs, it’s likely to be subjective.

Here are some examples of subjective statements:

• It feels very warm outside.
• Dogs are better than cats.
• The plums in the icebox tasted delicious.

Watch out for subjective information that’s disguised as objective analysis. For example, a newspaper headline that says “New Study Shows That Dogs Are 85% Better Than Cats” sounds like an objective fact. However, because it depends on personal preferences and opinions, it’s still a subjective statement.

Here are some subjective statements that are disguised to sound like objective statements:

• It is objectively very warm outside.
• A new study shows that dogs are 85% better than cats.
• Plums in iceboxes taste ten times better than plums that are left in the heat.

If you’re not sure whether a statement is objective or subjective, here are some useful questions you can ask yourself.

To determine whether a statement is objective , ask:

• Is this statement based on factual evidence?
• Is there a way a scientist could test this statement to figure out if it’s true or false?
• Would a robot without any concept of human emotion be able to say this statement?

If the answers to any of the above questions are “yes,” you’re probably dealing with an objective statement.

To determine whether a statement is subjective , ask:

• Is this statement based on someone’s feelings, preferences, or personal tastes?
• Is it impossible to determine whether this statement is true or false?
• Does this statement make a judgement about something (e.g. good or bad, right or wrong, beautiful or ugly)?

If the answers to any of the above questions are “yes,” you’re probably dealing with a subjective statement.

You can also look at the source of the statement to help you figure out how objective it is.

Sources like peer-reviewed scientific articles and unbiased news articles tend to contain more objective material.

Sources like opinion pieces and creative non-fiction tend to contain more subjective material.

The phrase "objective opinion" might seem counterintuitive, since these two words are essentially opposites.

In this context, the word "objective" means unbiased and impartial, rather than factual. This is also true for the phrase "objective assessment."

For example, you might ask a friend for an objective opinion about whether or not you should break up with your boyfriend.

In this scenario, your friend can’t give you objective advice if they have a personal reason for wanting you to make this decision, such as if they’re secretly in love with your boyfriend too.

Whether you should use subjective or objective statements depends on what your goal is.

If you’re writing a persuasive essay, you’ll usually need factual or quantitative data to make your writing credible. It’s important to search for objective facts from a reliable and impartial source.

On the other hand, you can also make use of subjective evidence, such as personal anecdotes. If you’re writing a persuasive essay about why bullying is wrong, a heartfelt story from the perspective of someone who’s been bullied might touch more readers than impersonal facts.

Most strong essays make use of both subjective and objective truth.

Final Words on the Difference Between Subjective vs. Objective

There you have it: a comprehensive guide to the difference between subjective and objective statements. Which examples did you find most helpful? Let us know in the comments.

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Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.

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Subjective vs. Objective Essay: Examples, Writing Guides, & Topics

Subjective or objective essay writing is a common task students have to deal with. On the initial stage of completing the assignment, you should learn how to differentiate these two types of papers. Their goals, methods, as well as language, tone, and voice, are different.

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A subjective essay focuses on the writer’s personal opinion, while an objective one represents valid facts. So, be careful when composing an objective paragraph or paper. Don’t let your beliefs take over real arguments supported by substantial evidence.

In short, differences between these styles concern the following:

• The ground for objective essays is facts; for subjective essays – personal opinions and beliefs.
• Objective papers report the findings from scientific sources, while subjective ones describe the writer’s thoughts.
• The objective essay’s goal is to help the reader make a decision. Subjective writing aims to reflect the author’s vision of the issue.

So, if you face this task for the first time, you may need some explanations. Custom-writing.org experts prepared a list of tips on how to write objective and subjective essays. Some topics, as well as objective and subjective writing examples, will also be useful.

• 🆚 Subjective vs. Objective

🔗 References

🆚 subjective vs. objective essays.

First and foremost, let’s find out the critical differences between the writing styles. Take a look at the following table and shed light on this issue.

An objective essay is a presentation of the material with no independent opinion involved. Only facts matter in this paper, and only facts can back up some assertions. Writing subjective essays implies introducing your standpoint on a particular problem.

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📋 How to Write an Objective Essay

Writing any essay consists of three parts: preparation, the actual writing, and revision. During the first one, you need to decide on your topic and do a little research. You can see how it looks in a real example.

Objective Essay Example: The Portrayal of Odysseus

In Odyssey, Homer portrays Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, as the true epic hero. The depiction of Odysseus is thoughtfully knitted together with the themes of love and loyalty that further magnify it, painting a holistic picture of a long 10-year journey home. Although it can be argued that some of Odysseus’s personality traits he displays cannot be applied to a true hero, he is still depicted following a very specific heroic archetype.

Now, let’s get into more detail!

Objective Essay Topics

If you’ve decided to write an objective essay, you need to come up with a topic. The topic gives a reader a brief overview of what will be covered in the paper.

Here are ten great examples:

• While the differences between Italy and Spain are evident, the resemblances are striking.
• There are several similarities between the movies “Deep Impact” and “Armageddon.”
• Compare and contrast the capitals of two English-speaking countries.
• Somatic symptoms in people with PTSD can be influenced by age, gender, and avoidance.
• Some might argue, but being overweight carries a social stigma.
• Environmental factors contribute to the phenotypic expression of psychological disorders.
• Although the exact reason remains unclear, depression is affected by sex, gender, hormonal changes, and age.
• When comparing and contrasting the Bible and Quran, it seems that they have more similarities than differences.
• Musical ability is the result of influence on the person from outside.
• In comparison to extroverts, introverts draw power from within themselves to use it in future activities.

Objective Essay Structure

We shall continue with exploring an essay structure. Note that the parts described below are essential for any essay.

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• Introduction . The introduction is usually the part that broadly describes the topic and gets the interest of the reader. This part of the paper should cover some background information and present the purpose.
• Hypothesis . In case your essay has one, state it in your introduction. A hypothesis includes information about how you intend to prove or refute the claim. It briefly describes the way you intend to do so.
• Arguments . Present one side of the argument. In the next paragraph, present the opposing one, using such words as “however,” “nevertheless,” and “although.” The task is to provide the readers with two sides of the argument.
• Evidence . Provide the evidence for all of your points. Keep the balance in providing proof and refutal. Omit your personal opinion, rather than include the evidence you find informative and convincing.
• Conclusion . Summarize the arguments both for and against the position. While remaining objective, shortly go over the information you presented as evidence. If the instructions require a personal opinion, in conclusion, you might write one. In other cases, briefly recap the parts of the essay. Shorten sentence generator would be greatly beneficial in such endeavor.

📜 How to Write a Subjective Essay

As we’ve mentioned earlier, a subjective essay represents the author’s vision of a particular issue. You have an opportunity to introduce your point of view without supporting your ideas with evidence from the primary sources. However, make sure your arguments are still logical and adequate.

Now see how to write a subjective essay in the sections below.

Subjective Writing Example

A well-chosen topic is the vital determinant of a successful essay. Yet, the process of selecting an idea for your paper might be challenging. That’s why you may find our example helpful.

The rapid pace of development of modern technologies increases the demand for oil and gas every year. A considerable amount of these resources is necessary to maintain both industrial enterprises and private equipment. Despite active production, there are still many unexplored places on Earth, potentially rich in oil and gas deposits. However, while making them public would help solve the existing problem, I’m afraid I disagree with this proposal.

Subjective Essay Topics

Check our list of subjective essay topics, choose the one you like the most, or inspire and come up with your idea!

• The fake and too glamorous life presented in social media leads to the development of an inferiority complex among teenagers.
• The information flows within the country should not be controlled by the governments.
• Since developed nations provoked the climate crisis, they should take full responsibility for their past actions and reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere.
• Cyberbullying should be a matter of the same importance as physical abuse.
• Remote learning opens more opportunities and expands the students’ horizons.
• Instead of catching up with fashion trends, it is better to develop your unique style.
• People should have enough rest to reduce the levels of anxiety and decrease the chances of depression.
• Studying abroad is an experience worth trying.
• Planning and scheduling are perfect strategies to deal with procrastination.
• While applying for a job position, work experience is more significant than having a degree.

📝 Subjective Essay Structure

When you deal with this task, you have full freedom of choice. You can decide for yourself what idea to support and what arguments to present. Still, you have to structure even a subjective essay properly.

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Here are the elements you have to include in your paper:

• grab the readers’ attention;
• introduce your subject;
• state your position in the thesis statement.

Important note: your thesis should be clear and straightforward. Let your audience understand your opinion.

• Description . Dive deeper into your topic and describe your issue in detail. However, don’t go too far. Avoid including irrelevant facts and unnecessary information. Follow the principle “quality over quantity” to keep your reader engaged.
• Opinion . After describing your issue, move to the most crucial part of your essay—opinion. State it clearly and concisely. Although you don’t need to provide any evidence from scholarly sources, your ideas should be supported by substantial arguments or examples from your personal life.
• Conclusion . In the last paragraph of your subjective essay, restate your thesis statement. Don’t introduce any other ideas here. To make your paper more dynamic, ask a provocative question at the end. It may motivate your reader for further investigation of your subject.

A helpful tip:

Before submitting your work, make sure it is coherent. Check if all of your ideas follow the logical flow. To avoid redundancy and wordiness, mix shorter sentences with longer ones and apply transitional phrases. Polish your essay, turn it in, and wait for your perfect grade.

Thanks for reading the page! Share it with your peers who may need some guidance as well. Our writers are ready to explain any other essay type , not only objective or subjective ones.

Learn more on this topic:

• How to Write an Expository Essay in Simple Steps
• Nursing Reflective Essay Example and Guidelines for Students
• Essay on Dengue Fever: How to Write + Free Examples
• French Essay Writing: How-to Guide and Examples
• How to Write a Rebuttal Essay: Jackie Michael, Pen and the Pad
• Writing Objectively: OWLL, Massey University
• Subjective vs Objective: Difference and Comparison, Diffen
• Objective and Subjective Claims: TIP Sheet, Butte College
• Evidence: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Organizing Your Argument: Purdue Online Writing Lab, College of Liberal Arts, University of Purdue
• Argumentative Paper Format: Courtesy the Odegaard Writing & Research Center, University of Washington
• How Do I Write an Intro, Conclusion, & Body Paragraph: LSA Sweetland Center for Writing, the University of Michigan
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Very helpful to make my assignment. Thank you so much!

Glad to know that. Thank you very much, Farhana!

Subjective and reflective.

That’s right, Raj 🙂

Thank you for this information. I submitted my subjective essay, which was rejected by my teacher for lack of an attractive hook. After reading your info on writing subjective essays, I know what I should change in my paper to get a good grade.

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Objective vs. Subjective – What’s the Difference?

Home » Objective vs. Subjective – What’s the Difference?

In today’s climate of widespread, often heated disagreement, the ability to successfully distinguish facts from opinions is more important than ever. Effective arguments include both factual observations and value judgements based on those facts.

In this way, arguments contain both objective and subjective statements. But which is which?

It is important to note that both objective and subjective have multiple senses. In this article, I will focus on their use as they relate to the concepts of objectivity and subjectivity in the philosophy of knowledge, or in simpler terms, to facts and opinions.

Since this site is devoted to writing and language use, I would be remiss not to include a discussion on objective and subjective as grammatical senses, as well.

What is the Difference Between Objective and Subjective?

In this article, I will compare objective vs. subjective . I will use each word in an example sentence to illustrate its proper context.

Plus, I will give you a useful memory tool that will help you decide whether something is objective or subjective .

When to Use Objective

Here are some example sentences,

• The journalist strived to engage in objective reporting.
• “Before we can proceed, we need an objective assessment of the facts of the case,” said the detective.
• “I want an objective analysis of our cash flow problems on my desk by Monday morning,” said the board chair.
• In other words, the model is purely objective and ignores outside factors like personnel, coaching and motivation. – The Wall Street Journal

In grammar, objective means referring to nouns or pronouns used as the object in a sentence . Also, see article on objective pronouns .

When to Use Subjective

For example,

• “My subjective stance,” wrote the columnist, “is that the pasta was not very delicious.”
• Journalists should not allow subjective views to contaminate hard news reporting.
• “The article suffers from subjective interpretations of data, and we reject it from publication in this journal,” wrote a peer reviewer.
• Measuring corruption is difficult and subjective, but in 2015 the group compiled a Corruption Perceptions Index that ranks 168 countries based on the perception of corruption in the public sector. – The New York Times

With regard to sentence-level grammar, subjective refers to nouns or pronouns used as the subject of a sentence. Also, see article on subjective pronouns .

Trick to Remember the Difference

Here is a helpful trick to remember subjective vs. objective . Since objective and observation both begin with the letter O , you can use this letter to link the words together in your mind.

Also, subjective and feelings both contain the letter S , which you can use as an additional mnemonic.

Is it objective or subjective? Objective and subjective are adjectives that refer to unbiased observations and biased evaluations , respectively. They each also have a grammatical sense, where they refer to the function and placement of nouns and pronouns in sentences.

• Something that is objective is not influenced by feelings or personal biases.
• Something that is subjective is up for personal interpretation and subject to personal feelings.

Since both subjective and feelings contain the letter S , you can use this shared feature as a mnemonic to help you remember which word is which.

If you still need help, remember to check this site for a quick refresher, as well as any time you need help with a difficult writing topic.

“Subjective” vs. “Objective”: What’s The Difference?

• Quick Summary
• What Does Subjective Mean?
• What Does Objective Mean?
• How To Use Them

Has someone ever asked for your objective opinion? Or said that something is “entirely subjective ”? The words subjective and objective are used in all kinds of contexts, from journalism to science to grammar, and they’re often discussed as opposites. But what do they actually mean?

In most cases, it comes down to whether something is based on personal experience or on verifiable facts. But it can get confusing. An opinion or viewpoint can be said to be objective or subjective, depending on how it was formed. We’re here to clear all of that up by explaining what each word means and how each should be used.

⚡️ Quick summary

Subjective most commonly means based on the personal perspective or preferences of a person—the subject who’s observing something. In contrast, objective most commonly means not influenced by or based on a personal viewpoint—based on the analysis of an object of observation only.

What does subjective mean?

Generally speaking, subjective is used to describe something that exists in the mind of a person or that pertains to viewpoints of an individual person.

Sometimes, subjective means about the same thing as personal . Everyone’s experience of an event is subjective , because each person’s circumstances and background are unique, leading to different interpretations.

Subjective observation is centered on a person’s own mind and perspectives , as opposed to being general, universal, or scientific . In this way, describing an observation as subjective often implies that it comes with (or is based on) personal biases .

In philosophy, subjective specifically means relating to an object as it exists in the mind, as opposed to the thing as it exists in reality (the thing in itself). All perception relies on your mind, so your perception of a thing is ultimately subjective.

What does objective mean?

In most of its common uses, objective is contrasted with subjective, often as if it’s the opposite. Objective most commonly means not influenced by an individual’s personal viewpoint— unbiased (or at least attempting to be unbiased). It’s often used to describe things like observations, decisions, or reports that are based on an unbiased analysis.

Something that’s truly objective has nothing to do with a person’s own feelings or views—it just deals with facts. When someone says “Objectively speaking,” they’re indicating that they’re going to give an unbiased assessment—not one based on their personal preferences.

Journalists are trained to be as objective as possible when reporting—to leave their opinions out of it and just record and present the facts. This is called objectivity .

What else does objective mean?

In grammar, the word objective is applied to words that function as objects —the recipients of actions. In the sentence The dog ate my homework , the word homework is in the objective case (meaning that it’s the object —the recipient—of the action). The word subjective, on the other hand, is applied to a word that’s the subject of the sentence (in the given example, the dog is the subject—the one performing the action).

Learn more about the verbs that take direct objects—transitive verbs.

Objective is also commonly used as a noun meaning a goal or a target, as in The objective of this article is to teach you about the difference between objective and subjective .

Examples of subjective vs. objective

Let’s think about some scenarios in which something might be classified as subjective or objective.

Let’s say you’re a restaurant critic. There may be certain foods that you subjectively dislike—ones that are just not to your taste. But when critiquing dishes, you must leave your subjective tastes aside and be objective about what you eat—making objective judgments about things like how it’s cooked and seasoned and how the ingredients work together. Even if you’re served a dish that you subjectively don’t like, it’s your job to objectively assess its quality.

In a scientific experiment, your hypothesis might be based—at least in part—on your subjective opinion about what the results will be. But science is about being completely objective by gathering data and making conclusions based on the data.

In everyday life, your objective opinion is the one that sets aside your subjective preferences or feelings about something and instead assesses it based on facts and reality.

How to use subjective vs. objective

Use subjective when you’re talking about an opinion or feeling that is based on an individual’s perspective or preferences.

Use objective when you’re talking about something—like an assessment, decision, or report—that’s unbiased and based solely on the observable or verifiable facts.

Examples of subjective and objective used in a sentence

• All art is subjective —everyone has their own personal interpretation.
• We want to record your subjective views on the topic, so just be honest.
• You can always count on her for an objective opinion, no matter what her personal feelings are.
• Although my objective assessment is that the book is poorly written, I can’t help but love its enemies-to-friends plotline.
• The first part of the assignment is an objective analysis of the data; the second part is an essay on your subjective reaction to it.

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Difference Between Objective and Subjective

Although in the absence of facts on a matter, then the statement becomes subjective , as the speaker presents his/her opinion, which is always biased. Subjective perspective is based on personal feelings, likes, interest, dislikes, and the like. So, the actual difference between objective and subjective piece of information lies in the facts and opinion.

Content: Objective Vs Subjective

Comparison chart, definition of objective.

Objective refers to an unbiased and balanced statement that represents facts about something. The statement is not coloured by the past experiences, prejudices, perceptions, desires or knowledge of the speaker. Therefore, they are independent and external to the mind of the specific person.

As the information is entirely facts based, it can be is observable, quantifiable and provable. It can be counted, described and imitated. It presents complete truth and is free from individual influences, so it proves helpful in rational decision making.

Definition of Subjective

Subjective means those ideas or statements which are dominated by the personal feelings, opinion, preferences of the speaker. It is an interpretation of truth or reality, from the speaker’s angle, that informs and affects the judgement of people and is always biased. It can be a belief, opinion, rumour, assumption, suspicion, that is influenced by the speaker’s standpoint.

A subjective point of view is characterised by the past experiences, knowledge, perceptions, understanding and desires of the specific person. These statements are exclusively based on the ideas or opinion of the person making it, as there is no universal truth.

Key Differences Objective and Subjective

The fundamental differences between objective and subjective are discussed in the given below points:

• A neutral statement, which is completely true and real, unbiased and balanced, is an objective one. Subjective means something which does not show the clear picture or it is just a person’s outlook or expression of opinion.
• An objective statement is based on facts and observations. On the other hand, a subjective statement relies on assumptions, beliefs, opinions and influenced by emotions and personal feelings.
• Objective information is provable, measurable and observable. In contrast, subjective information is relative to the subject, i.e. the person making it.
• The objective statement can be checked and verified. Unlike subjective statement or a series of balanced opinions, so they can’t be checked and verified.
• When a piece of information is objective, it remains same, irrespective of the person reporting it. Conversely, a subjective statement differs from individual to individual.
• An objective statement is appropriate for decision making, which is not in the case of a subjective statement.
• You can find the objective statement in hard science, textbooks and encyclopaedias, but a subjective statement is used in blogs, biographies, and comments on social media.

At the end of the discussion, objective information is one that produces the complete truth, i.e. it presents a story from all the angles in a systematic way. It is a fact, which is provably true. On the contrary, subjective information is coloured by the character of the person providing it. It is a great interpretation or analysis of the facts based on personal beliefs, opinion, perspective, feelings, etc.

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Sajid Mahmood says

December 4, 2018 at 12:00 pm

Patrick says

December 21, 2018 at 1:05 pm

This site is very amazing. There full of fact ..easy to understand…and motivated Real congratulations to all participants in this Please can you give us the difference between qualitative research and quantitative research

Surbhi S says

December 22, 2018 at 9:42 am

Thanks a lot, you can find the differences here. https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-qualitative-and-quantitative-research.html

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can I get the a clear explanation on how to draw a research problem ,research title and research question

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Subjective vs. Objective

Subjective information or writing is based on personal opinions, interpretations, points of view, emotions and judgment. It is often considered ill-suited for scenarios like news reporting or decision making in business or politics. Objective information or analysis is fact-based, measurable and observable.

Comparison chart

Examples of objective and subjective writing.

Here are some examples of objective and subjective statements:

• "47% of Americans pay no federal income tax. These people believe they are victims and would never vote for a Republican candidate." In this quote (which paraphrases Mitt Romney ), the first statement is objective. It is a measurable fact that 47% of Americans do not pay federal income taxes . However, the second statement is Romney's personal point of view and is entirely subjective.
• Apple only allows apps that the company has approved to be installed on iOS devices. The company does not care about openness of their platform. Once again the first statement here is objective, while the second is subjective because fans of the company could argue, as Steve Jobs did , that iOS is indeed an "open" platform.

Objective vs. Subjective Reality

A popular thought experiment asks this hypothetical question: if a tree falls in a forest and there is no one to hear it, does it make a sound? The objective reality in this scenario is that the tree did fall in the forest and made a sound. The objective view is not dependent upon there being an observer for the event. However, there is a school of thought in philosophy that believes that our perception of reality is governed by our senses, which are limited and flawed. Therefore, there is no objective reality that we can discern, and all reality is subjective. Reality is a social construct , a common denominator of the subjective experiences and perceptions of society forms our reality.

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Subjective vs. Objective: Understanding the Key Differences for Stronger English Writing

By: Author ESLBUZZ

Posted on Last updated: August 5, 2023

Sharing is caring!

Welcome to our article on the differences between subjective vs objective. If you’re someone who wants to improve your writing or grammar skills, understanding the distinction between these two terms is essential. In this article, we’ll explore what subjective and objective mean, provide examples of each, and discuss when to use them in your writing.

Subjective refers to something that is based on personal opinions or feelings. It is often influenced by an individual’s experiences, beliefs, and biases. In contrast, objective refers to something that is based on facts and observations, free from personal opinions or emotions. It is grounded in evidence and can be verified by others. 

Understanding the difference between subjective and objective is crucial when writing. Depending on the context, using the wrong term can lead to confusion or miscommunication. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of when to use subjective vs objective, and how to use them effectively in your writing. So, let’s dive in!

Subjective vs. Objective

Understanding the Concepts

Defining Subjective

When we say that something is subjective, we mean that it is based on personal opinions, feelings, or perspectives. In other words, it’s something that is influenced by an individual’s experiences and beliefs. Subjective statements are often used to express personal opinions, emotions, or preferences.

For example: “I think that chocolate ice cream is the best flavor.” This statement is subjective because it reflects the personal opinion of the speaker. Another example could be: “In my opinion, the movie was boring.” Here, the speaker is expressing their subjective view on the movie.

Defining Objective

On the other hand, when we say that something is objective, we mean that it is based on facts and evidence. Objective statements are not influenced by personal beliefs or biases. They are based on observable phenomena and can be verified by others.

For example: “The Earth revolves around the sun.” This statement is objective because it is based on scientific evidence that has been verified by many people. Another example could be: “The temperature outside is 25 degrees Celsius.” This statement is objective because it is based on a measurable and observable phenomenon.

Comparing Subjective vs. Objective

In Terms of Perception

Subjective and objective are two words that are often used in writing and communication. They are used to describe different ways of looking at things, and they have different meanings depending on the context in which they are used.

Subjective refers to something that is based on personal opinions, feelings, or beliefs. It is often used to describe things that are open to interpretation, such as art, music, or literature. When something is subjective, it means that it can be perceived differently by different people, depending on their personal experiences or biases.

On the other hand, objective refers to something that is based on facts, evidence, or logic. It is used to describe things that are not influenced by personal feelings or opinions. When something is objective, it means that it can be measured, observed, or proven in some way.

In Terms of Usage in Writing

Subjective and objective are also important concepts in writing. When writing, it is important to understand the difference between the two and to use them appropriately.

Subjective language is often used in creative writing, such as poetry or fiction. It is also used in personal essays or memoirs. In these types of writing, the writer is expressing their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and the language is often emotive or descriptive.

Objective language, on the other hand, is used in academic writing, such as research papers or scientific reports. It is also used in news articles or other types of journalism. In these types of writing, the language is factual and precise, and the writer strives to present information in an unbiased and impartial way.

Examples in English Grammar

Examples of Subjective Usage

When using subjective language in English grammar, you are expressing your personal opinion or feelings about a certain topic. This type of language is often used in creative writing, personal narratives, and conversations with friends or family. Here are some examples of subjective language in English:

• I think that the movie was amazing.
• In my opinion, the book was very well-written.
• To me, the painting looks beautiful.

As you can see, these sentences all express the writer’s personal opinion about a certain topic. They cannot be proven or disproven, as they are based on individual experiences and perceptions.

Examples of Objective Usage

In contrast, objective language in English grammar refers to factual information that can be proven or verified. This type of language is often used in news articles, scientific reports, and academic writing. Here are some examples of objective language in English:

• The temperature outside is 25 degrees Celsius.
• The population of New York City is 8.4 million.
• The chemical formula for water is H2O.

These sentences provide factual information that can be backed up by evidence. They are not based on personal opinions or feelings, but rather on concrete data and facts.

To better illustrate the differences between subjective and objective language in English, here’s a table:

In conclusion, understanding the differences between subjective and objective language in English grammar is essential for effective communication. By knowing when to use each type of language, you can convey your message accurately and clearly to your audience.

Implications in English Writing

When it comes to English writing, the choice between subjective and objective writing can have significant implications. Both forms have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is crucial to understand them to make an informed decision.

Impact of Subjective Writing

Subjective writing is based on personal viewpoints, opinions, and biases. It is often used in creative writing, such as poetry, fiction, and personal essays. Subjective writing can be more engaging and captivating, as it allows the writer to express their emotions and feelings. However, it can also be less credible and objective, as it is based on personal experiences and perspectives.

Here are some examples of subjective writing:

• In my opinion, the movie was fantastic.
• I love this restaurant because the food is delicious.
• The sunset was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

Impact of Objective Writing

Objective writing, on the other hand, is based on factual data that is not influenced by personal beliefs or biases. It is often used in academic writing, such as research papers, scientific reports, and news articles. Objective writing can be more credible and reliable, as it is based on verifiable facts. However, it can also be less engaging and less captivating, as it lacks personal perspectives and emotions.

Here are some examples of objective writing:

• According to the latest research, the vaccine is effective in preventing the disease.
• The company’s revenue increased by 10% last quarter.
• The temperature outside is 25°C.

To illustrate the differences between subjective vs. objective writing, here is a comparison table:

In conclusion, the choice between subjective and objective writing depends on the purpose, audience, and context of the writing. Both forms have their strengths and weaknesses, and it is essential to choose the appropriate one to achieve the desired effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some examples of subjective and objective writing styles?

Subjective writing style includes personal opinions, feelings, and biases. For example, “I believe that chocolate ice cream is the best flavor.” Objective writing style, on the other hand, is based on facts and evidence. For instance, “Chocolate ice cream contains cocoa powder, sugar, and cream.”

How can I differentiate between subjective and objective statements?

Subjective statements are based on personal opinions and feelings, while objective statements are based on facts and evidence. To differentiate between them, ask yourself if the statement can be proven with evidence or if it is based on personal beliefs.

What is the difference between objective and subjective data?

Objective data is based on facts and evidence that can be measured or observed. For example, the temperature outside is 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Subjective data is based on personal opinions, feelings, or experiences. For instance, “I feel happy today.”

What is the significance of using objective language in writing?

Using objective language in writing ensures that the information presented is based on facts and evidence, making it more credible and trustworthy. It also helps to avoid personal biases and emotions that can cloud judgment.

How does subjective vs objective assessment affect the outcome?

Subjective assessment can be influenced by personal biases and emotions, which can lead to inaccurate results. Objective assessment, on the other hand, is based on facts and evidence, resulting in more accurate and reliable outcomes.

What is the role of subjective vs objective philosophy in language usage?

Subjective philosophy emphasizes personal beliefs and opinions, while objective philosophy focuses on facts and evidence. In language usage, subjective philosophy can lead to biased and emotional language, while objective philosophy leads to more factual and credible language.

Subjective writing style includes personal opinions, feelings, and biases. For example, \"I believe that chocolate ice cream is the best flavor.\" Objective writing style, on the other hand, is based on facts and evidence. For instance, \"Chocolate ice cream contains cocoa powder, sugar, and cream.\"

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Subjective vs. Objective: What’s the Difference?

It’s often easy to confuse the difference between subjective and objective, but misusing them will cause poorly conferred information.

In order to use them properly, you need to know what each word means.

Table of Contents

What Does Subjective Mean?

Subjective is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as “influenced by or based on personal beliefs or feelings, rather than based on facts”. So, for example, my saying the weather is beautiful is subjective. It cannot be measured and is based on how I personally feel about the weather.

What Does Objective Mean?

Objective is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as “based on real facts and not influenced by personal beliefs or feelings”. A good example of objective is the statement, “The weather today will be seventy-five degrees and sunny.” This statement is based on fact and is measurable rather than how I feel about the weather.

Examples of Subjective and Objectives

Here are a couple of examples of subjective vs objective in sentences.

Subjective Examples

“You can’t say cilantro tastes good because that’s a very subjective idea. I think it tastes terrible!”

“Mary’s testimony is subjective and therefore inadmissible.”

“I know you think this building is ugly, but all opinions are subjective and I find it beautiful.”

“Telling people Christmas is a wonderful time of year is very subjective; some people hate it.”

Objective Examples

“Larry, stop hollering your opinions; you need to stay objective if you want to be a reporter.”

“I know you love cats, but if you look at it objectively, you can’t afford to care for ten of them.”

“An objective measurement will tell us exactly how high the water has risen.”

“Telling me the billboard is huge is not objective. I need measurements in feet and inches.”

Additional Usages of Objective and Subjective

Be sure you don’t confuse the difference between subjective and objective in a statement. If we say that Gordon’s feet are size sixteen, that’s objective. Saying Gordon’s feet are enormous is subjective.

Objectivity can also be a good way around being hurting someone’s feelings. For example, if someone were to ask you about the size of Gordon’s feet, you would simply mention his shoe size and leave out the subjective assessment of huge.

Another example of using objectivity to wiggle out of a jam is if someone asks your opinion on clothing you don’t like. Find an objective measurement such as color, and add your subjective opinion to that.

If you’re asked by your girlfriend how they look in their new dress, you could simply tell them you love the green color. The dress is green (objective), you like the green color (subjective). This lets you use both objectivity and subjectivity while avoiding telling her you hate the dress.

In a job setting, it’s important to use these words correctly. If your supervisor were to ask how a project is going, using subjective answers might imply you don’t really know. Instead of saying it’s going really well (subjective), employ objective measurements to your response. For example, “The job was projected to take three weeks to complete, but my team will have it done in two.”

A Good Way to Remember Subjective vs Objective

Subjective means you’re giving your standpoint on an idea or thing.

S =subjective, S =standpoint

Objective means you’re giving an observable fact .

O =objective, O =observe

Another way to remember is to ask yourself if you can measure it. If you can measure it, it’s objective. If you cannot, it’s subjective.

Brian is five feet, ten inches tall. This is objective because you can observe his height (O=objective, O=observe).

Brian is very tall. This is subjective because you cannot measure ‘very tall’. To someone 6’5″ tall, he would be short, to someone 4′ tall, he’d be tall, therefore his height of tall or short is based on a person’s standpoint (S=subjective, S=standpoint).

Now that you have subjectivity and objectivity squared away, for forth and use your powers for good!

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Objectivity vs. Subjectivity Analytical Essay

Introduction, possibility of being completely objective, importance of intelligence to the intelligence community, objectivity and subjectivity, works cited.

People have the ability to choose between objectivity and subjectivity. Objectivity refers to the ability to judge issues from a personal perspective. Objective thinkers see beyond what other people say. According to Pillar, objectivity is intelligence because it provides room for rational thinking and reasoning beyond the ordinary (par. 2). On the other hand, subjective thinkers merely rely on the reasoning of scholars and experts in various fields.

For instance, the fact that the sun rises from the East and settles in the West is a subjective reason. In essence, it is impossible for people to reason beyond the ordinary. Subjectivism does not incorporate logic or intelligence. This paper intends to discuss the possibility that people could be completely objective in thinking.

Social scientists explain that it is impossible to attain objectivity. People constantly look for knowledge in both primary and secondary sources. Research can never end, and this explains why it is impossible to be completely objective. Individuals will often criticize materials generated by social scientists and this explains how intelligence seeks proof from policies. Seeking intelligence is a natural process that signifies objective reasoning.

It occurs in a cyclic manner and can never come to a possible conclusion. Kahneman and Tversky argued that people would often distort the world due to their overconfidence in explaining things. Most of them do not have solutions to the problem, but through collective efforts and using intelligence, people could find credible answers to various situations (Kahneman 15). In essence, intelligence has no limits.

Objectivity should be a vital trait for the intelligence community since they have to create a connection between different aspects in life. They include crime, politics, education, and culture. The intelligence unit demands complete commitment from objective individuals. In most cases, they could apprehend an innocent person without assessing other possibilities. Intelligence creates a boundary between propaganda, public relations, and sentiments from normal political rallies.

Without objectivity, it would be impossible to assess the intelligence of such experts while in the field (Ehrman et al. 7). The intelligence community comprises of people from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Most of them view ideologies differently, as nature and nurture most of them dissimilarly.

Objective and subjective reasoning apply to different people in the society. Besides politics, religion raises many questions among populations. Faith is a personal decision since in the society atheists exist. They do not believe in any religion because they have personal ideologies against this concept. Certain individuals advocate for Protestantism while others purely focus on Catholicism. Eastern religions equally play a significant role in the society, especially Buddhism.

Some people question the ideologies or policies of certain religions. This happens when they want to join the sect, or when they want to criticize it. On the other hand, many people belong to no religion because after assessing most religions, they find atheism as the most appealing option. Religions have different traditions that their inventors formulate. Other people do not question religions since they uphold a subjective thought process (Ehrman et al. 22).

Most of these individuals embrace religions that their predecessors initiated. Others blindly follow religious ideologies because their societies support such religions. Today, countless religious beliefs exist and people follow the ones they find comfortable. From this perspective, objectivity and subjectivity strongly apply in religious settings. Objectivity has to exist because people have the freedom of worship. On the other hand, subjectivity prevails because conservative communities exist.

Experts equate objectivity to intelligence since people often strive to reach the highest level of intelligence that they cannot achieve. When an expert develops an idea, people will generate different opinions and fallacies to challenge such reasoning. People are naturally different and intelligence is inherent to an individual. This offers the ability to object or support certain ideologies in the society.

Ehrman, John, Hayden Peake, Martin Petersen, and Igor Lukes. “Studies in Intelligence.” Journal of the American Intelligence Professional 55.1 (2011): 1-50. Print.

Kahneman, Daniel. “Two Brains Running.” The New York Times 25 Nov. 2011: 12-17. Print.

Pillar, Paul R.. Chapter 29: The Perils of Politicization, UC Irvine: School of Social Sciences . N.p., 3 Mar. 2010. Web.

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IvyPanda. (2019, June 11). Objectivity vs. Subjectivity. https://ivypanda.com/essays/objectivity-vs-subjectivity/

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Objective vs Subjective Writing: What’s the Difference?

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Even in the era marked by the emergence of AI writing assistants like ChatGPT and Bard, the act of writing retains its critical role as an indispensable human skill, crucial for nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and personal expression.

This significance extends into the realm of choosing between objective and subjective writing styles, which profoundly influences how messages are received and interpreted.

Whether you’re a student, journalist, or content creator, mastering these unique styles is crucial. Moreover, learning how to excel as a writer will undoubtedly provide a competitive edge.

In this blog, we will explore the nuances of objective and subjective writing, offering insights on how they can be artfully utilized to enhance your content. Additionally, we highlight a selection of online language courses designed to bolster your writing skills, ensuring your ability to communicate effectively in any context.

What Is Subjective Writing?

Subjective writing is the language of perspective that is influenced by personal feelings. It aims to let the listener or reader know how the writer or speaker feels, thinks, or believes. Because it is subjective, it focuses mainly on feelings, attitudes, impressions, values, thoughts, and beliefs. 

Subjective writing is not an accurate representation of what truly is, but rather an impression made by the speaker or writer. Therefore, it can be hard to prove the point or message of subjective writing. You may need to combine it with persuasive speech in order to convince your listener or reader to believe in your point of view.

Qualities of subjective writing

Subjective writing has one or more of the following tell-tale characteristics:

1. Contains personal language

With subjective writing, your reader will feel as if someone is personally speaking to them. You can find the best example of the use of personal language in love letters. The words “I,” “you,” we,” and ”us” are often peppered throughout each line.

2. Passes judgment

Describing things with the use of adjectives counts as passing judgment. Calling someone fat, skinny, sickly, or even beautiful is a form of judgment. Therefore, judgmental writings such as these are considered subjective writing.

3. Makes assumptions

Saying that your little sister hates Math because she always gets low grades in that subject is a form of assumption. While it may be true, there is no direct indicator that solidifies your claim. She may still love Math despite failing at it because it challenges her.

4. Emotive and dramatic

Another quality of subjective writing is its affinity to emotion. For example, people who are opposed to vaccinating children may say that children are highly vulnerable and fragile creatures who cannot tolerate foreign chemicals injected into their bodies. While scientific data show negligible risk to vaccinating, they subjectively believe that it is harmful.

5. Exaggerated

Because subjective writing only translates what the speaker or writer feels, it sometimes becomes exaggerated. What is mildly disturbing for other people may be wildly inappropriate for others.

6. Uses exclamation marks

Some subjective pieces make use of exclamation marks to convey strong emotions such as anger or joy.

7. Uses capitalization

Capitalized words are also a technique accepted in subjective and informal pieces of writing. You may find some capitalization in blogs or social media posts as an attempt to create emphasis on that word and what it is trying to convey.

Where you can find subjective writing

Subjective writing is not at all formal and may even seem inappropriate. However, it is totally acceptable and even expected to see subjective writing in these instances:

• Literary work such as poems and stories
• Personal journals
• Speeches during informal events
• Social media posts

Learn creative writing using subjective writing with the help of this creative writing course .

Practicing subjective writing skills has its own benefits. Here’s what Nanie Batac, a seasoned writer, has to share. 

Practicing subjective writing nurtures a unique personal voice and emotional expressiveness, fostering deeper connections with readers through relatable and engaging content. It encourages critical thinking and creative exploration, enabling writers to articulate their perspectives with clarity and conviction. This practice not only enhances storytelling but also strengthens the writer's ability to persuade and resonate with diverse audiences. Nanie Batac, Professional Writer

What Is Objective Writing?

Objective writing, by definition, is the direct opposite of subjective writing. You can say that it is devoid of any emotion, opinion, or assumption and makes very little use of adjectives unless they are supported by data.

Facts and figures speak for themselves in objective writing. This makes them more reliable, although they are not always the most compelling pieces.

Objective writing is impartial, fair, and accurate. You can’t find an inch of exaggeration with objective vs subjective writing, and so it is mostly saved for more formal communication. Everyday language is often not factual.

Qualities of objective writing

These are some of the things that you will notice in an objective piece or statement:

1. Clear topic statements

Objective writing likes to say things as they are. Therefore, you can expect there to be clear and concise topic statements with no partiality. Instead of saying things such as “you have so many wonderful varieties to choose from,” an objective approach would be to say, “there are a number of options available.”

2. Facts and evidence

One glaring thing you might notice in objective pieces is the presence of data and numbers. There are no accusatory statements in objective writing, but rather it lets the facts and evidence speak for their own.

3. Fair and accurate

Nothing can be more accurate than a number. One is one. There are no variations, deviations, or other versions of it. Since objective writing makes use of numbers, it is safe to say that it is accurate.

It is also fair because there is no judgment or opinion made. All sides of an issue have a chance to present their own facts, and there are no biases.

4. Non-Judgmental

While the subjective language may say, “You have too many bags!” objective language will simply state that “You have fifty bags.” As you can see, there is no trace of judgment on the second statement. It merely says how many bags you have. Whether or not you think it’s too many is entirely up to you.

5. Impersonal recommendations

You will often see recommendations in scientific studies and publications. These bodies of work thoroughly assess an issue with the use of data to come up with the recommendations that they publish at the end. 

For example, suppose the efficacy profile of a drug shows that it is 99 percent effective for treating migraine. In that case, the journal may recommend it for the use of treatment for migraine, given its data-supported efficacy.

Where you can find objective writing

You can find objective writing in the following:

• History books
• Scientific publications
• Encyclopedias

Even if you’re not a scientist or a doctor, you might still find objective writing useful. Academic writing, such as essays, favors the use of objective writing, even if it allows a bit of subjective expression. 

The difference between objective vs subjective writing is so stark that it is impossible to mistake one from the other. Just keep in mind that objective writing is more factual and subjective writing is more emotive and influenced by personal feelings or opinions.

Writing Courses You Should Take

Four writing styles for professional content writing.

This course teaches you the four basic writing styles: expository, narrative, descriptive, and persuasive. It also covers the five-sensory descriptions (visual, aural, gustatory, olfactory, and tactile) in descriptive content writing, and the three elements of persuasive content writing (ethos, pathos, and logos). The course is suitable for all skill levels and will help you improve your content writing and creative writing skills.

You should take this course if you want to:

• Improve your content writing skills
• Learn the four basic writing styles
• Understand the five-sensory descriptions in descriptive content writing
• Learn the three elements of persuasive content writing
• Improve your creative writing skills

Turn Words To Passive Income With Copywriting 101

This course teaches you how to write effective copy that sells. You will learn how to write copy that speaks to customers’ emotions and moves them to take action. The course also covers what copywriting is and why it’s important for every business.

• Learn how to write copy that sells
• Write copy that speaks to customers’ emotions
• Understand what copywriting is and why it’s important
• Learn how to avoid common copywriting mistakes

Creative Writing For Beginners: Unlock Your Creativity

This online course is designed for beginners who want to learn the fundamentals of creative writing. It will teach you how to develop characters, create compelling narratives, craft personal essays, and write engaging fiction. You will also learn about different forms of writing, such as short stories, poetry, and creative nonfiction. The course is taught by experienced writers who will share their tips and techniques to help you improve your writing skills.

• Learn the basics of creative writing
• Develop essential writing skills
• Explore different forms of writing
• Improve your communication skills
• Uncover your creativity
• Learn from experienced writers

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why is it important to distinguish between objective and subjective writing.

Distinguishing between objective and subjective writing is important because it helps readers understand the purpose and reliability of the information being presented. 

Objective writing is crucial when facts and an unbiased perspective are necessary, such as in scientific research or news reporting, to make informed decisions or understandings. 

Subjective writing, while offering depth and personal insight, may not always provide a complete or balanced view and can influence the reader’s perception through the author’s personal bias. Knowing the difference allows readers to critically assess the information’s credibility and how it fits into their own understanding or research.

Can a piece of writing be both objective and subjective?

Yes, a piece of writing can blend both objective and subjective elements. For example, an article may start with an objective overview of a topic, presenting facts and evidence, and then move into a subjective section where the author provides their personal opinion or analysis based on those facts. 

This approach allows the writer to present a well-rounded view by grounding their personal insights in objective reality. However, maintaining a clear distinction between the two within the piece is crucial for ensuring the reader can differentiate between factual information and the author’s personal perspective.

How does audience expectation influence the choice between objective and subjective writing?

Audience expectation plays a crucial role in determining whether objective or subjective writing is more appropriate. 

In contexts where the audience expects factual, unbiased information, such as academic research, news reporting, or technical documentation, objective writing is preferred. Conversely, in settings where personal insight, creativity, or opinion is valued, such as blogs, personal essays, or literary critiques, subjective writing is more suitable. 

Understanding the audience’s expectations helps the writer choose the right style to effectively communicate their message and meet the audience’s needs.

What are the challenges of objective writing?

One of the main challenges of objective writing is ensuring complete neutrality and avoiding any bias, which requires thorough research, fact-checking, and sometimes a detachment from personal beliefs. 

Writers must carefully select their words to avoid inadvertently implying opinions or judgments. Another challenge is presenting complex information in an accessible way without oversimplifying or distorting the facts. Objective writing demands a high level of rigor and discipline to accurately convey information without influencing the reader’s perception with personal bias.

Are there specific genres where subjective writing is more prevalent than objective writing?

Yes, there are specific genres where subjective writing is more prevalent. These include the following: 

• Personal blogs
• Autobiographies
• Opinion columns, and 
• Literary criticism

Subjective writing is also common in arts and entertainment reviews, such as books, movies, and music, where personal interpretation and emotional response are valued. 

These genres thrive on the unique perspectives and insights of the writer, making subjective writing not only appropriate but often the expected norm.

Skill Success Expert Insights on Objective vs Subjective Writing

Researchers at MIT have identified a trend where misinformation on Twitter travels more swiftly than factual information, primarily propelled by human activity rather than automated bots. 

Their findings indicate that tweets with inaccurate content are retweeted 70% more frequently than those with accurate information. 

BA Isla, a writer with over 15 years in the field, has noticed significant changes in the industry, especially an increasing lean towards subjective writing. She underscores that while the freedom to express personal views is crucial, it introduces unique challenges, particularly in the context of distinguishing between truth and falsehood in the digital age.

The rise of social media has provided a platform for individuals to openly share their thoughts. In this landscape, it's crucial to strike a balance between objective and subjective writing. Supporting opinions with data and facts is essential to prevent the spread of misinformation or exaggerated claims. Unfortunately, dramatic posts and articles often gain undue credibility. Now more than ever, it's imperative for responsible writers to step forward. BA Isla, Content Writer, Skill Success

Key Takeaways

Objective and subjective writing represent two distinct approaches to conveying information and expressing opinions. Objective writing focuses on presenting verifiable facts and unbiased perspectives, while subjective writing delves into the realm of personal experiences, emotions, and interpretations.

As writers, the key lies in recognizing the appropriate context for each style. When striving to inform and educate, objective writing is the ideal tool. When aiming to evoke emotions, inspire action, or share personal experiences, subjective writing takes center stage.

To embark on a journey of continuous learning and unlock your full writing potential, we invite you to subscribe to Skill Success All Access Pass . This pass grants you access to our entire library of courses, empowering you to master a wide range of writing techniques, from crafting captivating blog posts to penning impactful business proposals.

Ready to fully dive into your learning? Join All Access Pass and unlock our entire course library for only $15/month.

Click here to learn more

Marcjean Yutuc

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The difference between subjective and objective assessments

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Understanding subjective and objective assessments, and the difference between the two, is central to designing effective exams. Educators need a strong understanding of both types to accurately assess student learning. Each of these styles has specific attributes that make them better suited for certain subjects and learning outcomes. Knowing when to use subjective instead of objective assessments, and vice versa, as well as identifying resources that can help increase the overall fairness of exams, is essential to educators’ efforts in accurately gauging the academic progress of their students.

Let’s take a closer look at subjective and objective assessments, how they are measured, and the ways in which they can be used effectively to evaluate student knowledge.

According to EnglishPost.org , “Subjective tests aim to assess areas of students’ performance that are complex and qualitative, using questioning that may have more than one correct answer or more ways to express it.” Subjective assessments are popular because they typically take less time for teachers to develop, and they offer students the ability to be creative or critical in constructing their answers. Some examples of subjective assessment questions include asking students to:

• Respond with short answers
• Craft their answers in the form of an essay
• Define a term, concept, or significant event
• Respond with a critically thought-out or factually-supported opinion
• Respond to a theoretical scenario

Subjective assessments are excellent for subjects like writing, reading, art/art history, philosophy, political science, or literature. More specifically, any subject that encourages debate, critical thinking, interpretation of art forms or policies, or applying specific knowledge to real-world scenarios is well-suited for subjective assessment. These include long-form essays, debates, interpretations, definitions of terms, concepts, and events as well as responding to theoretical scenarios, defending opinions, and other responses.

Objective assessment, on the other hand, is far more exact and subsequently less open to the students’ interpretation of concepts or theories. Edulytic defines objective assessment as “a way of examining in which questions asked has [sic] a single correct answer.” Mathematics, geography, science, engineering, and computer science are all subjects that rely heavily on objective exams. Some of the most common item types for this style of assessment include:

• Multiple-choice
• True / false
• Fill in the blank
• Assertion and reason

Assessments measure and evaluate student knowledge; to that end, grading is involved with doing so. Just as subjective and objective assessment differ, so do ways in which educators measure them.

Subjective performance measurements are dependent on the observer or grader and involve interpretation. A creative work might be the most clear example for which subjective measurement might apply; while grammar and syntax, of course, are necessary to express ideas, the quality of creative work is subject to human judgment. Opinion essays are also a subjective measurement, as there is no one right answer and are evaluated based on persuasion skills; the flow of logic or writing style, in addition to the content of an answer, can influence a person marking student work.

In brief, subjective measurement involves more than one correct answer and assesses qualitative or analytic thinking.

On the other hand, objective measurement is conducted independent of opinion. One extreme example is feeding a multiple-choice exam into a Scantron machine, which provides zero feedback and simply marks an answer wrong or correct. Even when a human being grades objective assessment and provides feedback, answers are not for interpretation when it comes to objective measurement. Other examples of objective measurement include mathematics problems with one correct answer that is unquestionable and again, independent of the grader’s opinion ( Jackson, retrieved 2023 ).

In sum, objective measurement is implicitly consistent, impartial, and usually quantifiable.

That said, measurement of assessments, whether subjective or objective, is a spectrum.

While a creative work may be graded almost entirely subjectively, a personal or opinion essay, while subjective in nature, may fall towards the middle of the spectrum. An analytical essay, for instance, can offer objective measurements like grammar, structure, primary or secondary sources , and citation. Of course, on the objective end of the spectrum are multiple-choice questions like mathematics problems. But even mathematics can fall towards the middle; for example, when students work on proofs and theorems to demonstrate logic and analytical thinking. In the case of a proof, a grader has to interpret how deeply a student understands the concept and might even grant partial credit.

The word “subjective” has often become a pejorative term when it comes to assessment and grading, while the word “objective” is elevated as a paragon of fairness. But the reality is that both subjective and objective assessments are effective ways to measure learning, when they are designed well and used appropriately.

Subjective and objective assessments are effective when they show reliability and validity .

An assessment is reliable when it consistently measures student learning. Reliability involves the correct answer every time, with no variation from student to student, making scores trustworthy; many standardized tests like those used for licensing or certification, for instance, are deemed highly reliable. In the case of subjective assessment, rubrics can provide increased reliability .

An assessment is valid when it measures what it was intended to measure. Validity accurately measures understanding, whether it is the evaluation of analytic thinking or factual knowledge.

You wouldn’t ask a nursing student to write an opinion essay on differential diagnosis and pharmaceutical treatment; at the same time, you wouldn’t ask graduate students of English literature to answer true/false questions about the works of Shakespeare. Providing the right kind of assessment to assess appropriate levels of knowledge and learning is critical.

The first step towards effective exam design is to consider the purpose of the assessment and uphold validity.

When an instructor wants to measure critical thinking skills, a student’s ability to come up with their own original ideas, or even how they arrived at their response, subjective assessment is the best fit. When an instructor wants to evaluate a student’s knowledge of facts, for instance, objective measurement is called for. Of course, exams can offer a variety of formats to measure both critical thinking and breadth of knowledge; many assessments benefit from the inclusion of both subjective and objective assessment questions. Subjective assessments lend themselves to programs where students are asked to apply what they’ve learned according to specific scenarios. Any field of study that emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, or problem-solving may place a high value on the qualitative aspects of subjective assessments. These could include:

• Arbitration

Objective assessments are popular options for programs with curricula structured around absolutes or definite right and wrong answers; the sciences are a good example. If there are specific industry standards or best practices that professionals must follow at all times, objective assessments are an effective way to gauge students’ mastery of the requisite techniques or knowledge. Such programs might include:

• Engineering

Creating reliable and valid assessments is key to accurately measuring students’ mastery of subject matter. Educators should consider creating a blueprint for their exams to maximize the reliability and validity of their questions. It can be easier to write assessments when using an exam blueprint. Building an exam blueprint allows teachers to track how each question applies to course learning objectives and specific content sections, as well as the corresponding level of cognition being assessed.

Once educators have carefully planned out their exams, they can begin writing questions. Carnegie Mellon University’s guide to creating exams offers the following suggestions to ensure test writers are composing objective questions:

• Write questions with only one correct answer.
• Compose questions carefully to avoid grammatical clues that could inadvertently signify the correct answer.
• Make sure that the wrong answer choices are actually plausible.
• Avoid “all of the above” or “none of the above” answers as much as possible.
• Do not write overly complex questions. (Avoid double negatives, idioms, etc.)
• Write questions that assess only a single idea or concept.

Subjectivity often feels like a “bad word” in the world of assessment and grading, but it is not. It just needs to be appropriate–that is, used in the right place and at the right time. In the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization , researchers Méndez and Jahedi report, “Our results indicate that general subjective measures can effectively capture changes in both the explicit and the implicit components of the variable being measured and, therefore, that they can be better suited for the study of broadly defined concepts than objective measures.” Subjective assessments have a place in presenting knowledge of concepts, particularly in expressing an original opinion, thought, or discourse that does not have a singular answer.

What is “bad,” however, is bias, whether unconscious or conscious, in assessment design or grading. Bias is an unfair partiality for or against something, largely based on opinion and resistance to facts.

Subjective assessments are more vulnerable to bias and it’s important to ensure that the questions address what is supposed to be measured (upholding validity) and that any grader bias is mitigated with rubrics to bolster marking consistency (thereby upholding reliability). Other ways to mitigate bias include grading by question and not by student as well as employing name-blind grading.

Subjective and objective assessment efficacy is influenced by reliability, validity, and bias. Wherever, whenever possible, it is important to bolster reliability (consistency) and validity (accuracy) while reducing bias (unfair partiality). While reliability and validity are upheld during the design and execution of assessments, ensuring that questions align with learning expectations and course content and are fair, bias can interfere with the grading process.

One important, and frequently overlooked, aspect of creating reliable and valid assessments is the manner in which those assessments are scored by removing bias. How can teachers ensure that essay or short-answer questions are all evaluated in the same manner, especially when they are responsible for scoring a substantial number of exams?

• A rubric that lists the specific requirements needed to master the assignment, helps educators provide clear and concise expectations to students, stay focused on whether those requirements have been met, and then communicate how well they were met. Using rubrics also increases consistency and decreases time spent grading. (upholds reliability, mitigates bias)
• Name-blind grading is a key component to unbiased grading; by removing the affiliation of the student’s name to the assessment, any question of prejudice is removed. It can be enabled in grading software or via folding down the corner of pages with names on them. (mitigates bias)
• Grading by question instead of by student—grading all of one question first before moving on to the others—makes sure you’re grading to the same standard and not influenced by answers to a previous question ( Aldrich, 2017 ). (upholds reliability, mitigates bias)
• Student data insights can transform grading into learning . By conducting item analysis or, in other words, formally examining student responses and patterns, instructors can pinpoint whether or not assessments are accurately assessing student knowledge. Item analysis is a way for instructors to receive feedback on their instruction and makes learning visible. (upholds validity)
• Offer a variety of assessment formats to include different learning styles and measure different components of learning. Objective assessments like multiple-choice exams can assess a large breadth of knowledge in a short amount of time. Subjective assessments like short- and long-answer questions can test whether or not students have a deep conceptual understanding of subjects by asking students to explain their approach or thinking. Using a combination of formats within the same exam can also bolster reliability and validity. (upholds reliability, upholds validity)
• And finally, consider eliminating grading on a curve ( Calsamiglia & Loviglio, 2019 ). When students are graded on a curve, the act of adjusting student grades so that they’re relative to the grades of their peers, there is an implicit message that students compete with each other—including those who might be cheating. According to research, “moving away from curving sets the expectation that all students have the opportunity to achieve the highest possible grade” ( Schinske & Tanner, 2014 ). (upholds reliability, upholds validity, mitigates bias)

Using assessment tools offer the following benefits for educators:

• Electronically link rubrics to learning objectives and outcomes or accreditation standards.
• Generate comprehensive reports on student or class performance.
• Share assessment data with students to improve self-assessment.
• Gain a more complete understanding of student performance, no matter the evaluation method.

Ultimately, employing rubric and assessment software tools like ExamSoft and Gradescope gives both instructors and students a clearer picture of exam performance as it pertains to specific assignments or learning outcomes. This knowledge is instrumental to educators’ attempt to improve teaching methods, exam creation, grading—and students’ ability to refine their study habits.

Creating reliable and valid assessments with unbiased measurement will always be an important aspect of an educator’s job. Using all the tools at their disposal is the most effective way to ensure that all assessments—whether subjective or objective— accurately measure what students have learned.

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Objective, Subjective, Figurative Description

Objective description is primarily factual, omitting any attention to the writer, especially with regards to the writer's feelings. Imagine that a robotic camera is observing the subject; such a camera has absolutely no attachment or reaction to what is being observed.

Subjective description, on the other hand, includes attention to both the subject described and the writer's reactions (internal, personal) to that subject.

Figurative description relies on creating likenesses between objects, often through simile (e.g. like a snowflake...or fragile as a snowflake...) or metaphor. Such likenesses allow the reader to perceive the object more precisely.

An objective sample:

The kitchen table is rectangular, seventy-two inches long and thirty inches wide. Made of a two-inch-thick piece of oak, its top is covered with a waxy oilcloth patterned in dark red and blue squares against a white background. In the right corner, close to the wall, a square blue ceramic tile serves as the protective base for a brown earthenware teapot. A single white placemat has been set to the left of the tile, with a knife and fork on either side of a white dinner plate, around nine inches in diameter. On the plate are two thick pieces of steak.

(Notice how "objective" the narrator in the piece is; his or her eyes scan the scene, but there is no emotional response provoked by the scene).

A subjective sample:

Our lives at home converged around the pleasantly-shaped kitchen table. It was the magnet that drew our family together quite warmly. Cut from the sturdiest oak, the table was tough, smooth, and long enough for my mother, my two sisters, and me to work or play on at the same time. Our favorite light blue ceramic tile, stationed in the right corner, was the table's sole defense against the ravages of everything from a steaming teapot to the latest red-hot gadget from the Sears catalogue. More often than not, however, the heat would spread quickly beyond the small tile and onto the checkered oilcloth, which just as quickly exuded a rank and sour odor. Yet no matter how intensely the four of us competed for elbow room at the table, none dared venture near the lone dinner place arranged securely to the left of the tile. There was no telling when HE would get home from work, but, when he did, he expected the food to be ready--steaming hot. He liked to eat right away--steak mostly--two bloody but thick pieces.

(The narrator scans about the scene, but now, objects take on a sense of "utility" and "meaning"--the narrator explains how certain objects are important, even bordering on the personal and emotional meaning behind each piece.)

A figurative sample

The kitchen table, a long lost remnant cut from sturdy oak, was sturdy like my father's hands, and as equally calloused by age and tempered by heat. The table had large welts that had grown even darker and more foreboding with age, and mother frequently commented on getting a new table because of these clear signs of progress, but father would have none of it—the table was as dear to him as his own child. After all, this was his grandfather's table, handcut, the final essence of that old progenitor's largesse on the earth. Dumping this table would be akin to dumping my father's grandaddy. And such an act would be akin to murder itself. This table was like family.