Read the first paragraph from an article in the local online newspaper.
Local businesswoman Inés Garcia-Ruiz is joining the race for the state senate seat that is soon to be vacated by retiring senator Benjamin Hall. A long-time resident of this community, Garcia-Ruiz says that, if she is elected, she will "dive into projects that aid low-income families.” This should be obvious to most constituents because she is well known for her impressive charity work. Time and time again, she has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those living in poverty in our community.
What is the best way to improve objectivity in the paragraph?
- by removing the reference to Garcia-Ruiz being a local businesswoman
- by removing idioms, such as “dive into” and “time and time again”
- by eliminating the reference to projects that aid low-income families
- by eliminating emotional language used to describe the charity work.
All four of these options could potentially help improve objectivity in the paragraph.
By removing the reference to Garcia-Ruiz being a local businesswoman, the paragraph would no longer include potentially biased information about her occupation or connections to the community.
Removing idioms, such as "dive into" and "time and time again," could also help to make the paragraph more objective, as these phrases add a level of subjective language and emotion to the text.
Eliminating the reference to projects that aid low-income families would remove potentially biased information about the focus of Garcia-Ruiz's work and what she may prioritize if elected.
Finally, eliminating emotional language used to describe the charity work would also help to make the paragraph more objective, as such language could influence the reader's perception of Garcia-Ruiz and her work.
But the best answer could be "by eliminating emotional language used to describe the charity work." Why? Here is the reason:
Eliminating emotional language used to describe the charity work could certainly help to make the paragraph more objective, as emotional language can influence the reader's perception of the topic and add a level of subjectivity to the text. However, it is important to note that this may not be the only option for improving objectivity in the paragraph, and other options such as removing personal pronouns or subjective adjectives, or eliminating references to the focus of the charity work, could also potentially be effective in improving objectivity. Ultimately, the best approach for improving objectivity will depend on the specific goals and needs of the article and the intended audience.
What does objectivity in a paragraph mean?
Objectivity in a paragraph refers to the lack of bias or subjective interpretation in the language used to present information. An objective paragraph presents facts and information in a neutral manner, without including personal opinions or interpretations that could influence the reader's perception of the topic being discussed.
For example, an objective paragraph might simply present the facts about a particular event or person, without expressing any judgments or opinions about them. It would avoid using language that could be seen as subjective or emotional, and would aim to present a balanced and unbiased view of the topic.
In contrast, a subjective paragraph might include personal opinions, interpretations, or emotions that could influence the reader's perception of the topic. It might use language that is intended to evoke a certain response from the reader, rather than simply presenting the facts.
Overall, objectivity in a paragraph is important for ensuring that the information being presented is fair and unbiased, and that the reader is able to form their own conclusions based on the facts presented.
What words or expressions to avoid to make a paragraph objective?
There are several types of words and expressions that should generally be avoided in order to make a paragraph more objective. These include:
- Personal pronouns (such as "I," "we," "you," etc.) that express the writer's personal opinions or feelings.
- Emotional language (such as "amazing," "terrible," "outrageous," etc.) that could influence the reader's perception of the topic.
- Subjective adjectives (such as "beautiful," "ugly," "wonderful," etc.) that express personal opinions or interpretations.
- Judgmental language (such as "should," "must," "always," etc.) that expresses the writer's personal beliefs about what is right or wrong.
- Words and phrases that express uncertainty or doubt (such as "perhaps," "might," "may," etc.), as these can indicate a lack of objectivity.
- Idioms and colloquialisms that could be seen as subjective or culturally specific.
By avoiding these types of words and expressions, it is possible to make a paragraph more objective and unbiased in its presentation of information. However, it is important to note that complete objectivity may not always be possible, and it is generally acceptable to include some level of subjectivity as long as it is clearly labeled as such and does not unduly influence the reader's understanding of the topic.