Final answer:
While complete objectivity is difficult to achieve, striving for an unbiased approach is important in academic and professional communication. Writers show objectivity by presenting evidence in neutral language and avoiding bias, which is evident through skewed language and failure to present counterclaims fairly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Is It Possible to Be Unbiased?
Regarding the question of whether it is possible to be unbiased, many sociologists and scholars believe that complete objectivity is unattainable. Every person has their own perspectives and biases which can subtly influence their analysis and presentation of information. However, in academia and professional communication, there is an ethical obligation to strive for objectivity and fairness. For example, in a rhetorical situation, a writer who is attempting to remain objective will present evidence such as facts, statistics, and examples in a neutral and unemotional language to build credibility with the readers.
Examples of objectivity include clearly stating the evidence, using neutral language, and avoiding emotionally charged words or phrases that suggest a personal opinion or bias. The writer should demonstrate an awareness of the rhetorical situation involving narrator, message, audience, purpose, context, and culture. In contrast, bias can be seen when the language is skewed towards a predetermined outcome, lined with personal opinion, or when the writer fails to acknowledge obvious counterclaims or lacks fairness in the argument.
Ultimately, while it's challenging to be completely free of bias, it is imperative to recognize and mitigate biases as much as possible. When writing, especially in academic and professional contexts, understanding and explaining your perspective is often required, whereas in other cases, keeping personal perspectives out is the objective. Recognizing when and how to do this is part of understanding the rhetorical situation.