The document discusses whether factual writing should include bias. It argues that for more serious topics like Brexit, factual writing should be unbiased and present facts in a neutral manner to allow readers to form their own opinions. However, for less serious topics or when the writer is highly qualified, including opinion is acceptable if it is clearly labeled as such and does not attempt to unduly influence readers. Overall, factual writing should provide information objectively, but including balanced perspectives and labeled opinions may also have value depending on the context.

1. Shouldfactual writingincludebias?
Currently,factual writingisone of the mostusedstylesof writingandcanbe seenalmost
everywhere throughoutthe world.The more seriousarticles/storiesthatare written mostof the
time I feel shouldonlyincludestraightfactsandnotexpressanypersonal opinionsintoit,which
couldpotentiallyswaythe readerone wayoranother.There are guidelinessetinplace bythe union
of journaliststoaidwithproblemslike this,andinan ideal world,journalistswouldonlyreportthe
newswithtrue andaccurate findingsandfacts,andnot place a single opinionintothe equation.
I personallybelievethatbiasbothshould andshouldn’tbe usedinfactual writingandshouldbe
lookedaton an individual basisdependingonwhatthe articles/storiesare about.If the writerof
the article iswritingaboutsomethingsuchaspollutioninthe world,youwouldexpectthemtobe
biasedagainstcompaniesthathave ahighercarbonfootprint,aswell as if theywere highlyqualified
inthe fieldinwhichtheyhave chosentowrite anarticle aboutsothat viewerscangetto know all
the facts that are involvedwithinthe specificsubjects.Inslightlylessseriousorlesstouchysubjects
like thisthenIfeel asif the writercan theninclude theiropinion if theystatedthatitistheiropinion
and isnot usedina way to persuade viewerstothink one wayratherthanthe otherand instead
allowsthemtomake theirowndecisionsonthe matter.
On the otherhand,I believe biasshouldn’tbe usedinfactual writingif a more seriousand major
topicis beingtalkedaboutsuchas Brexit(which isstill anongoingtopicforGreat Britain) thenIfeel
that if the writerwasto include heavybiasedopinionsonthe matterforeitherside of the argument,
but hadyet failedatlookingatthe counterarguments itwouldbe wrongto doas it can cause many
future problemsinsociety aspeopleshouldbe allowedtomake theirowndecisionsbasedonthe
facts infrontof them and notby othersopinionsonthe matter.Ialsothinkthis due to the fact that
hatredwouldbe spreadagainstthose whodisagree withthe writerand the same wouldgofor
readerswhoagree withthe writer.If the writerhowevercreatesawell-balancedargumentwith
equallyscoringcounterarguments,more peopleare goingtoreadit and be able to formtheirown
opinionsastheyhave beengivingbothsidesof the storyas well ashearingaboutall the solidfacts.
In myhonestopinion,Ibelievefactual writingona whole shouldbe explainedbythe writersin an
unbiasedway,thatwill allowreaderstogainthe correct information,inthe correctchronological
order,that will notbe influencedbypersonal opinionsandthoughtsof the writer/journalist.This
shouldbe carriedall the way to majornewsstorieslike the exampleIprovidedabove,sonoaffects
can be causedbythe writer’sopinions,butbythe readersopinionsaftergainingthe correct
unbiasedinformation.Idohave a slightbelief thatif a well-balancedandinformative article was
writtenwithasectionstatingthe writerspersonal opinionsafterthe maininformation,whichwould
not influence readerstofollowtheirbeliefs,thatcouldbe somethingtolookat.If you stopbiasfrom
beingusedinthe mediaandfactual writing, thenyou’ll be inaffectcensoringpeople’sopinions.Bias
issomethingthatismore or less unavoidable andquite franklyneededinsociety aseveryonehas
differingopinions,if youreadsomethingyoudisagreewith,youcanargue it withyourown
knowledge.Some sayif it’sfactual itdoesn’tneedbias asitshouldjustfocusonthe hardcore facts,
and to some extentIfeel thatis true howeverthere are timesyouneedtofeel the opinionsof the
writerto trulygraspthe article context.Ibelieve it’sdowntothe individualtoseparate the facts
fromthe opinions,people see whattheywanttosee.