Monday, March 2, 2015

Recognize the Subjective

Complete objectivity is not possible, even when you've developed heightened skills in critical and creative thinking. At the same time, as you enhance your thinking skills you will be better equipped to separate objective evaluations from subjective conclusions.

Subjectivity can be exploited to write content that provokes. Nor do you have to play fair when you write. However, there is a fine line between provocation that engages and provocation that alienates.

In critiquing, the subjective aspects of the work and your subjective reactions can give you insight into how a piece works. Being reactive is normal, but an effective critiquer  also need to assess from whence a reactions come from, separating the personal from the universal.