Writing with Objectivity: Practice to Improve an Author's Skill

Many hidden motives lurk in the written word. Writers craft documents that influence the readers to think, act, or feel based on the writer's opinions. This deception is often unintentional. In fact, this author would argue that it is almost always a subconscious effect, springing unplanned from the mind of the writer.

 

Why is it So Hard to Write Objectively?

Writers face the unique challenge of presenting information without offering up a pile of opinions. Part of being human; however, is that we each lead a life that is basically mono-dimensional. We are each the product of the bundle of life experiences that began to close in on us in infancy, and continued to surround us over the course of our lives.

 

Are There Exercises to Improve Objective Writing?

Many talented writers are capable of setting personal perspective aside, but it is a rare talent, and one that requires a great deal of practice to perfect. Taking a stance that is the opposite of one's own beliefs, and then crafting documents that support that stance, is an effective way to practice writing objectively.

 

What If Someone Sees the Practice Writing?

Worrying that someone will read the work produced in this practice exercise and make judgments based upon it is normal, especially if the writer takes a very different stance on the issues in real life.
Making a success of this challenge requires the persistence to over-ride personal beliefs. A writer should plan to dispose of the document after it is completed, because this frees the writer to express ideas that reach beyond the emotional boundaries that normally restrain them.

 

What Is the Benefit of Practicing Objective Writing?

Temporarily removing emotions and personal belief from a writer's work presents a growth opportunity to writers. Learning to effectively express a belief, other than one's own belief, gives writers the power to express ideas based on data rather than emotion. This ability, when practiced, perfected, and used, improves all the writers work.




Originally Published on Orato.com