II. Method

• Subjective: personal, meaningful, emotional

details which typically reveal purpose

✦Ex. The snow white poodle reminded the young woman of innocent playfulness.

✦Ex. The dog is white.

• Objective: straightforward, short details. Commonly used for definitions and instructions (no emotion)

A. Subjective B. Objective

What is subjective and objective?

If the mode is personal or emotional the author has chosen to write in subjective. Subjective may use bias or personal feelings.

Ex. “I stare back at him, then I look back at my father’s cannon, then down at my father’s microphone, and I think. Oh. My. God. My dad and I are the same person. (Vowell 157).

C. Identification

If the mode is public or impartial the author has chosen to write in objective. Objective leaves any emotion out of the mode.

Ex. “ It was hot in the hospital, but the operating rooms were cool […]” (Canin 174)