Objective Writing: Learning Main Features & Recommendations

A primary purpose of higher learning is to communicate ideas effectively through objective thinking and writing. Basically, teachers expect students to present accurate findings, concerning a specific matter and use verifiable evidence. Moreover, a particular objective method is unique because it allows one to gather, calculate, or evaluate information. In turn, objective writing enables people to present irrefutable facts, apply critical thinking styles, maintain a neutral tone, and use formal and explicit language.

What Is Objective Writing and Its Purpose

According to its definition, objective writing is a specific style and form of communication that presents information and ideas without bias, emotions, or personal opinions. Unlike subjective writing, which includes personal opinions and emotions, objective one relies on evidence, statistics, and verifiable data to convey its message. For example, the main purpose of objective writing is to provide readers with factual, clear, and unbiased information, allowing them to form their own conclusions (Lindsey & Garcia, 2024). Moreover, this approach is especially important in various contexts, like academic papers, news reporting, and technical documentation, where a particular integrity of the information is crucial. By eliminating personal bias and focusing solely on clear facts, such compositions allows a reader to make informed and well-articulated decisions based on the information provided (Barnett & Gionfriddo, 2016). In terms of pages and words, the length of objective writing depends on academic levels, specific requirements, and study disciplines, while general guidelines are:

High School

Length: 1-3 pages
Word Count: 250-750 words
Context: High school assignments often include essays, reports, or short research papers. A key focus is on developing basic academic skills and an ability to present facts clearly and objectively.

College

Length: 2-4 pages
Word Count: 500-1,000 words
Context: College-level compositions often involve more detailed essays, research papers, and reports. A particular expectation is for more in-depth analysis and an entire use of multiple sources to support an objective presentation of information.

University

Length: 3-5 pages
Word Count: 750-1,250 words
Context: At a university level, assignments become more complex and detailed, with an emphasis on critical thinking, research, and an ability to present information in an unbiased manner.

Master’s

Length: 4-10 pages
Word Count: 1,000-2,500 words
Context: Master’s level papers involves comprehensive research papers, theses, or projects that require extensive research, analysis, and a particular presentation of information with a high level of objectivity and academic rigor.

Ph.D.

Length: 6-20+ pages
Word Count: 1,500-5,000+ words
Context: Ph.D. works, such as dissertations or research articles, demands original research, deep analysis, and a thorough presentation of findings. Objective compositions at this level are expected to be detailed, unbiased, and contribute to a specific field of study.

Types

Type	Context	Example
Essay (Any Type)	To explore a specific topic or argument in a structured format, often with an objective perspective.	High school, college, and university assignments.
Research Paper	To present findings from a systematic investigation or study.	Academic settings (high school, college, university, and graduate studies).
Report	To provide a detailed account of a specific topic, event, or experiment.	Academic assignments, business, technical fields, and scientific studies.
Technical Writing	To explain complex information clearly and concisely.	Manuals, guides, instructions, engineering, and information technology (IT) fields.
News Article	To inform a public about current events or issues without bias.	Journalism and media outlets.
Literature Review	To summarize, analyze, and examine existing research on a particular topic.	Academic research, thesis, and dissertation writing.
Scientific Paper	To communicate new research findings and contribute to scientific knowledge.	Academic journals, conferences, and research institutions.
Case Study	To analyze a specific instance, event, or organization in detail.	Business, social sciences, healthcare, and education.
Lab Report	To document and analyze the results of a laboratory experiment.	Science courses and research labs.
White Paper	To inform or persuade decision-makers on a specific issue or solution.	Business, government, and technology sectors.
Policy Analysis	To objectively evaluate and compare public policies or proposals.	Government, public administration, and think tanks.
Thesis/Dissertation	To present original research and contribute to an academic field.	Master’s and Ph.D. programs.
Annotated Bibliography	To provide summaries and evaluations of sources on a specific topic.	Research preparation and academic studies.
Systematic Review	To compile and assess all relevant studies on a particular research question.	Healthcare, social sciences, and academic research.
Business Report	To analyze business operations, strategies, or market conditions.	Business courses and corporate settings.

Format

Section	Content
Title (separate page)	A concise and clear title that reflects a specific content of a whole essay or research paper.
Abstract/Executive Summary (optional/separate page)	A brief summary of an entire content, highlighting key points or findings.
Introduction (1 paragraph)	An introduction to a chosen topic, outlining a specific purpose and scope of objective writing.
Thesis Statement (1 sentence)	A clear statement of a main argument or focus of an entire composition.
Body (1 or more paragraphs)	A main content divided into sections or paragraphs with subheadings.
Conclusion (1 paragraph)	A summary of key points, findings, or arguments presented.
List of References (separate page)	A list of all the sources cited or referenced in an entire paper on accordance with APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, or Harvard citation rules.

Note: Some sections of objective writing can be added, deleted, or combined with each other, and such a composition depends on what an author intends to share with readers. For example, a key feature of objective writing is a particular use of unbiased and factual language that presents information based on evidence rather than personal opinions or emotions (Lindsey & Garcia, 2024). Besides, an objective writing method is a technique that involves presenting information and arguments in a neutral, unbiased, and fact-based manner without allowing personal opinions or emotions to influence an entire content. Further on, subjective writing expresses personal opinions, emotions, and perspectives, while objective one presents information and facts in an unbiased and neutral manner without personal influence. In turn, an example of objective writing is a research paper that presents data and findings from a study without bias or personal interpretation, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions (Snyder, 2019). Finally, to start objective writing, people begin with a clear and factual statement that introduces a specific topic without personal opinions or emotional language.

Steps on How to Be Objective in Writing

To write objectively, people clearly state a specific goal or purpose in a concise and measurable way, focusing on a desired outcome without personal bias or emotional language.

Understand Your Purpose: Clearly define a specific goal of your composition to focus on delivering unbiased information.
Research Thoroughly: Gather all the necessary information from credible sources to ensure accuracy and a balanced perspective.
Avoid Personal Bias: Keep personal opinions and emotions out of your essay or research paper to maintain objectivity.
Use Neutral Language: Choose words that are impartial and avoid emotionally charged or persuasive language.
Stick to Facts: Present verifiable facts and data rather than speculation or assumptions.
Consider Multiple Viewpoints: Acknowledge different perspectives to provide a well-rounded analysis.
Cite Sources Properly: Give credit to all sources of information, ensuring transparency and credibility.
Edit for Objectivity: Review your document to eliminate any unintentional bias or subjective language.
Be Transparent About Limitations: Clearly state any limitations in your research or analysis to avoid misleading readers.
Seek Feedback: Have others review your work to identify any potential bias or subjective elements you might have missed.

Presenting Facts

In simple words, objective writing is a factual process that enhances knowledge. For example, students gather facts that support a selected topic and support arguments with evidence from credible sources (Moran, 2019). Besides, they need to address both sides of an opinion. Then, being objective makes essays or research papers appear professional and reliable. In turn, people avoid making judgments and remain fair in their final works (Kraus et al., 2022). As a result, this strategy allows individuals to present accurate information that addresses existing knowledge gaps. In turn, some examples of sentence starters for beginning any writing objectively are:

Based on the available evidence, it can be concluded that … .
A thorough review of existing knowledge and literature indicates that … .
According to a comprehensive analysis of the data, it is evident that … .
Research conducted by [Author/Institution] suggests that … .
The findings from various studies consistently show that … .
An examination of the facts reveals that … .
Objective analysis of a given situation indicates that … .
A particular consensus among experts in a field is that … .
Documented evidence supports the conclusion that … .
In light of the data presented, it is clear that … .

Using Critical Thinking Skills

Objective writing is unique because it enhances critical thinking. For example, students evaluate, calculate, and verify an obtained set of information (Flicker & Nixon, 2016). In this case, they must gather relevant details and determine their significance to a chosen subject. Besides, people must ensure an intended audience attains a deeper understanding of a presented topic. Therefore, authors need to appraise information to achieve desired goals.

Maintaining a Neutral Tone

Objective writing is essential because it allows students to use a neutral tone. For example, an objective tone is a neutral and impartial manner of writing that focuses on presenting facts and information without emotional influence or personal bias (Lindsey & Garcia, 2024). In this case, one should not use opinionated, biased, or exclusive language. Further on, authors must submit unbiased information to a target audience and allow readers to determine their opinions. However, imbalanced information does not persuade a target audience to accept a narrow way of thinking (Moran, 2019). In turn, such an approach helps writers to present relevant facts about a specific subject. Thus, scholars need to learn how to maintain an objective and neutral tone since this method allows them to be less judgmental.

Following a Formal Style

Objective writing is an essential skill because it helps students to follow a formal style. Basically, academic papers must use official and formal language, and students must avoid personal pronouns (Lindsey & Garcia, 2024). As such, an extensive use of a third person enhances an overall clarity of an assignment. Then, following a formal style helps scholars to avoid intensifiers that exaggerate their arguments. For example, people should avoid words, like “very” and “really,” since they make information vague (Barnett & Gionfriddo, 2016). Besides, scholarly papers require a proper use of punctuation marks. In turn, successful learners proofread their works to ensure they use commas and full stops effectively. Moreover, this approach prevents all forms of miscommunication. As a result, people need to follow standard rules of objective writing because it trains them to maintain a formal tone in their papers.

Expressing Ideas

Objective writing allows students to express ideas explicitly. In this case, they need to develop precise sentences to express their thoughts. For example, to write in objective language, people use neutral and factual words that avoid personal opinions, emotions, or biases, focusing solely on evidence-based information (Lindsey & Garcia, 2024). Besides, this approach helps essays to stand out, while students can make their work comprehensible. Hence, people need to learn key features of objective thinking because it allows them to communicate clearly.

What to Include

Example	Description	Purpose
Facts	Verified information that can be proven to be true.	To provide a solid foundation of truth for objective writing.
Statistics	Numerical data that quantifies information.	To support arguments with measurable evidence.
Research Findings	Results from studies, experiments, or investigations.	To present evidence derived from systematic inquiry.
Expert Opinions	Insights or interpretations from individuals with specialized knowledge.	To enhance credibility by referencing authoritative sources.
Historical Events	Documented occurrences from the past.	To provide context and support claims with real-world examples.
Case Studies	In-depth analysis of specific instances or examples.	To illustrate points with detailed, real-world examples.
Definitions	Clear explanations of key terms or concepts.	To ensure readers understand essential terminology.
Comparisons	Objective evaluation of similarities and differences between items.	To help clarify ideas by showing relationships between different elements.
Quotations From Sources	Direct excerpts from credible texts or authorities.	To provide evidence and authority to the discussion.
Data From Surveys or Polls	Information gathered from surveys or polls, reflecting public opinion or trends.	To add quantitative backing to arguments with up-to-date information.

Common Mistakes

Using Biased Language: Inadvertently including words or phrases that convey personal opinions or emotions.
Ignoring Counterarguments: Failing to acknowledge opposing viewpoints, which can make an entire composition appear one-sided.
Cherry-Picking Data: Selecting only a particular data that supports a specific viewpoint, leading to a biased representation of information.
Overgeneralizing: Making broad statements without sufficient evidence, which can lead to inaccurate conclusions.
Failing to Cite Sources: Not properly attributing information to its original source, reducing credibility and transparency.
Assuming a Reader’s Agreement: Writing as if a reader already shares your perspective, which can undermine objectivity.
Relying on Anecdotes: Using personal stories or isolated examples instead of comprehensive evidence, which weakens the objectivity.
Using Absolutes: Employing terms, like “always” or “never,” that leave no room for exceptions or nuances.
Misinterpreting Data: Drawing conclusions that are not fully supported by presented evidence, leading to misleading statements.
Overusing Jargon: Using specialized language that may confuse readers and obscure an objective presentation of information.

Summing Up

Objective writing requires people to cover irrefutable facts. Basically, such a process is unique because it enables students to develop critical thinking skills when completing assignments. Furthermore, they should learn key features of objective writing because they gain a particular ability to follow a neutral tone. In turn, students can learn how to write objectively by using a formal and neutral style and improve an overall quality of their academic essays or research papers.

References

Barnett, D. L., & Gionfriddo, J. K. (2016). Legal reasoning and objective writing: A comprehensive approach. Wolters Kluwer.

Flicker, S., & Nixon, S. A. (2016). Writing peer-reviewed articles with diverse teams: Considerations for novice scholars conducting community-engaged research. Health Promotion International, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daw059

Kraus, S., Breier, M., Lim, W. M., Dabić, M., Kumar, S., Kanbach, D., Mukherjee, D., Corvello, V., Piñeiro-Chousa, J., Liguori, E., Palacios-Marqués, D., Schiavone, F., Ferraris, A., Fernandes, C., & Ferreira, J. J. (2022). Literature reviews as independent studies: Guidelines for academic practice. Review of Managerial Science, 16(8), 2577–2595. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-022-00588-8

Lindsey, M., & Garcia, H. (2024). Engaging writing activities: Objective-driven timed exercises for classroom and independent practice. Rowman & Littlefield.

Moran, J. (2019). First you write a sentence: The elements of reading, writing … and life. Penguin Books.

Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039

Objective Writing: Student Guidelines & Examples