1. Subjective Vs. Objective
Writing

2. Subjective Evidence
- Evidence that you cannot evaluate—
you simply have to accept or reject
what the person says.
- It emphasizes:
- Personal feelings, thoughts, judgments,
opinions

3. Subjective Writing
Subjective writing is found in
personal essays, in
autobiographies, and in the
editorial section of
newspapers where journalists
express their opinions about
news events.

4. Objective Writing
- Evidence you can see and
evaluate for yourself .
- It emphasizes:
- Facts, figures, and imagery
*No opinions or personal beliefs!

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Warning!
Likewise, a inexperienced or
unprofessional journalist may
inadvertently or on purpose mix
actual facts related to a news
event and his or her own opinions
of that occurrence. Again, it is the
reader’s responsibility
to distinguish fact from opinion.

8. Examples
 Subjective:
 Andy says “My foot hurts a lot.”
 Is he lying? How much is “a lot”? What is Andy’s
idea of pain? Is he actually injured or is his foot
just asleep?
 Objective:
 Andy walks in with a cane and a knife stuck in
his foot.
 There is physical evidence that he’s in pain.

9. Examples
 Subjective
 Andy says “That was an awesome football
game!”
 Compared to what? Who was playing? His son?
The team he coaches? Himself? Two pro teams?
 Objective
 If you see a video of the game, you might see
great plays, high scores, a last-minute win, etc.