The Role of Bias in Technical Writing

 OUTPUT #2

The Role of Bias in Technical Writing

By: Rona Marie E. Paderes

1. How can bias impact the credibility and accuracy of a technical document?

💗I think bias in technical writing makes it less trustworthy because it only tells one side of the story instead of presenting the full truth. Readers won’t be able to rely on it since it’s not fair or accurate. It’s like spreading misinformation—if a writer is biased, the document loses its credibility and won’t be useful for research or professional purposes. No one wants to read something that feels one-sided, especially when they need facts. Back when I was a campus journalist, I had to make sure my news articles were fair and factual because being biased could get me disqualified. The same goes for technical writing—it has to be clear, neutral, and based on facts so people can actually trust it.

2. What strategies can writers use to avoid bias and maintain objectivity?

💗To avoid bias, I think writers should make sure they’re looking at all sides of a topic and not just focusing on one perspective. They need to rely on facts, not personal opinions, and double-check their sources to make sure the information is accurate. In campus journalism, we were taught to keep our writing straightforward and free from unnecessary embellishments, and I believe the same applies to technical writing. As Ma’am Ivy said earlier, technical writers are a lot like researchers—they have to listen to different perspectives before coming to a conclusion. If they only focus on one side, their work won’t be balanced, and people might question its reliability. That’s why making sure everything is fair and factual is so important in technical writing.

3. How do ethical considerations differ when writing for various industries (e.g., healthcare, technology, finance)?

💗I think ethical considerations depend on the industry because every field has its own set of rules and responsibilities. What’s acceptable in one profession might not be okay in another since they deal with different situations. For example, in healthcare, ethics are all about protecting patients and making sure they get proper care, while in finance, the focus is on handling money responsibly and being transparent. Both are important, but they follow different ethical guidelines because they deal with different kinds of people and challenges. That’s why industries have their own standards—it helps maintain professionalism and trust. Understanding these differences is important so that people in different fields can do their jobs the right way.