Evaluating Part II: Language Use and Objectivity

What makes a source objective, what is objective in the context, and in the field? Objectivity in the overall American academic context has been determined by how quantifiable &/or generalizable the information conveyed can be. The argument is balanced. Nothing important is left out the detriment of another idea, or the reader’s disadvantage to fully comprehend the argument. The conventions of what are considered acceptable for fair and transparent in the context and field.

The author makes any biases that affect the work explicit in an appropriate manner. His own The fields, authorities, “Powers that Be” The intended audience is taken into account, but others reading this work would not feel that the argument was unsound, just under-explained or possibly incomplete.

The work is too “personal” or author centric First person singular, and sometimes plural The research structure is considered non-quantifiable or generalizable by a field. It focuses on something too specific to offer or have “perspective”. Ethnographic or case studies. Uneven presentation of ideas to the advantage or detriment of one side or another. More evidence for one side or the other. A valid or strong reasoning structure for only one side. The inappropriate use of fact or opinion.

The limits of a project add to or detract from the objectivity of the overall product as well. By explicitly exposing biases and accounting for them I am a psychologist so my paper on why they’re great…. Flaws in the theories or ways that the don’t match the work here I’m using Vygotsky for adults, though his work was done for children Keeping conclusions as directly related to the evidence as possible, both in certitude and population/situation The rain might have been the cause, but it could have been the tornado. the author ensures the reader that he is above board and covering all the bases necessary for a good scholar/a good argument. The reader can find no fault with his work, and therefore MUST accept it.

Objectivity can be affected by the author’s language choice—in all the elements above and more! Language conveys more than meaning: it also conveys ATTITUDE. In a text, the word choice shows the author’s attitude to: His subject His reader His opponents How this attitude is expressed can affect how useable the source is. Even the most brilliant study can be undermined by slurs, pomposity, condescending, or undue favor/displeasure in the word choice.

The connotation adds the tone to the work. It’s part of the focus of the work, and integral to the author’s style and the text’s readability. Feeling *Audience Situation Field How you express the ideas in your should allow the reader to come to your conclusion more readily. Objective Thorough Transparent

Pay attention to polarity Positive, negative, neutral? What context can this word support? What word can support this context/idea? Formal/informal Field Section of the document Know what you mean, and mean what you say!!

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