Objective versus Subjective

You should know the difference between taking an objective stance and a subjective stance in a paper. Depending on the subject matter and the prompt, college writing instructors may ask you to write from one or both points of view.

 

Objective

The objective defines phenomena that that you can see, hear, touch, smell, taste, count, describe, or imitate—generally anything that is factual and based on sensory interpretation or the scientific method.

Objective language

• I saw…
• I counted…
• I observed…
• He/she touched…
• He/she said…

 

Subjective

The subjective defines opinion, judgment, assumption, belief, rumor, suspicion, or anything that you can infer without tangible evidence. A subjective point of view implies a variation from day-to-day and person-to-person—not a verifiable truth—generally used to describe someone’s feelings or opinions about an event or a person.

Subjective language

• In my opinion…
• I opine…
• I believe…
• I feel…
• He/she wants/does not want to…
• He/she feels thinks…

 

Examples

When using objectivity in a paper it is important to cite the source of information. Sources are unnecessary in the subjective.

Objective
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population in Texas to be 24,326,974 in July 2008.

Subjective
Texas is a great place to live.

 

Objective
Texas has a very diverse population that represents many different ethnic groups.
(Without citation, this is still a provable fact, therefore objective.)

Subjective
Austin, Texas is the best place to see live music.

 

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