Being objective means focusing on facts that can be independently verified rather than subjective opinions.
To encourage your sense of objectivity, many assignments ask you to avoid using first-person words like 'I' or 'we'. Instead, they ask you to use third-person words like 'they' or 'participants'. However, the first person is appropriate for other assignments, such as reflective writing.
Academic training requires students to support their claims by providing solid arguments and (or) evidence. Being objective suggests you are concerned about facts and not influenced by biases or unsupported assumptions. It is often seen as being professional and credible. Part of being objective is being fair in your work. Try to consider multiple sides of an argument and avoid making value judgements, for example, using words such as 'good' or 'bad'.
Techniques for writing objectively
Be precise rather than vague
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| 10 | Several |
| 70 per cent | Most of the population |
| 'Three years ago' or 'in 2006' | Some time ago |
Avoid intensifiers, which can exaggerate your writing in an imprecise, subjective way
For example, 'very', 'really'.
Be balanced, professional and believable
Avoid exaggeration, for example, referring to something as the 'best' or 'worst' without the data to support it.
Avoid making value judgements, for example, using words such as 'amazing' or 'dreadful'. Instead, you can show your assessment of a situation by using evidence to discuss implications. For example, "As a result of this policy, planners expect the annual road toll to decrease by 40 per cent from 2024 levels."
First or third person
In English, pronouns are a set of words that replace nouns. For example:
- First-person: I, we, me, us
- Second person: you, yourself
- Third person: he, she, it, they, him, her, them
For some assignments, such as reflective writing, it's appropriate to use the first person. For other assignments, you need to use the third person. Sometimes, a mixture of first and third person for different purposes is acceptable. Each assignment has different types, style guides and disciplines. If you're unsure whether to use first or third person, check your assignment guidelines or with your course coordinator.
Related content
