question_answer Discussion Board for a Question on Quiz: Use of English (JAMB 2002)

Recognizing the need for objectivity in their work, the
early report writers worked to develop a writing style which
would convey this attitude. They reasoned that the source of
the subjective quality in a report is the human being. And they
reasoned that objectivity is best attained by emphasizing the factual material of a report rather than the personalities involved.
So they worked to remove the human being from their writing.
Impersonal writing style was the result. By impersonal writing is
meant writing in the third person – without I’s, we’s or you’s.
In recent years, impersonal writing has been
strenuously questioned by many writers. These writers point
out that personal writing is more forceful and direct than is
impersonal writing. They contend that writingwhich brings both
reader and writer into the picture ismore like conversation and
therefore more interesting. And they answer to the point on
objectivity with a reply that objectivity is an attitude of mind
and not a matter of person. A report, they say, can be just as
objective when written in personal style as when in impersonal
style. Frequently, they counter with the argument that impersonal
writing leads to an overuse of passive voice and a generally dull
writing style. This last argument, however, lacks substance.
Impersonal writing can and should be interesting. Any dullness
it may have is wholly the fault of the writer. As proof, one has
only to look at the lively styles used by the writers for
newspapers, news magazines and journals.Most of this writing
is impersonal – and usually it is not dull.
As in most cases of controversy, there is some merit to
the arguments on both sides. There are situations in which
personal writing is best. There are situations in which impersonal
writing is best. And there are situations in which either style is
appropriate. The writer must decide at the outset of his work
which style is best for his own situation.
His decision should be based on the circumstances of
each report situation. First, he should consider the expectations
or desires of those for whom he is preparing the report. More
than likely hewill find a preference for impersonal style, for, like
most human beings, businessmen have been slow to break
tradition. Next, the writer should consider the formality of the
report situation. If the situation Is informal, aswhen the report is
really a personal communication of information between business
associates, personal writing is appropriate. But if the situation is
formal, as is the case with most reports, the conventional
impersonal style is best.

One argument given in support of personal writing is
that it....