Maintaining 'Distance' in Your Writing

What is 'Distancing'?

"Distancing in writing" refers to the technique of creating a narrative or perspective that maintains a certain emotional or psychological distance between the reader and the subject matter. 

Why Would We Want to Do This? 

Distancing in communication serves several purposes and can be employed for different reasons:

1. Formality and Professionalism: Distancing language is often used in formal or professional settings to maintain a sense of formality. This is crucial in business communication, academic writing, official reports, or any context where a professional tone is expected.

Objective Presentation:

Distancing helps present information objectively, without personal biases or emotional influence. It allows for a more factual and neutral representation of data, facts, or ideas.
Maintaining Authority:

In certain situations, maintaining a sense of distance can help individuals in positions of authority or leadership project a professional image. It reinforces a clear boundary between the communicator and the audience.
Reducing Emotional Impact:

Distancing is employed when the goal is to reduce emotional impact or to avoid conveying personal emotions. This is particularly important in situations where emotional neutrality is required, such as delivering difficult news or presenting research findings.
Ensuring Clarity:

By avoiding overly personal language, distancing can contribute to clarity and precision in communication. It helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures that the message is received in a straightforward manner.
Enhancing Objectivity in Analysis:

In academic or research writing, distancing language is often used to enhance the objectivity of analysis. This is crucial when presenting findings, conducting experiments, or discussing research methodologies.
Minimizing Cultural or Social Bias:

Distancing can help minimize cultural or social bias by focusing on the information rather than the individual conveying it. This is particularly important in cross-cultural communication to promote understanding and reduce potential misinterpretations.
Maintaining Professional Relationships:

In certain professional or work-related contexts, distancing can help maintain boundaries in relationships. This is especially important when dealing with colleagues, clients, or superiors.
Adhering to Formal Standards:

Distancing is often necessary to adhere to formal standards of communication. This is evident in legal documents, official reports, or any context where adherence to specific norms is expected.
Facilitating Critical Analysis:

Distancing language can be beneficial in facilitating critical analysis of information. By avoiding emotional language, it encourages individuals to focus on the content rather than the delivery.

Distancing in writing involves employing strategies to create a sense of separation or objectivity. Here are various ways you can achieve distancing in your writing:

Formal Tone:

Use a formal tone to create a professional and detached atmosphere. Avoid overly casual or conversational language.
Third-Person Perspective:

Write from a third-person perspective instead of the first person. This helps remove the direct personal connection between the writer and the reader.
Avoid Personal Pronouns:

Minimize the use of personal pronouns (I, we, you) to reduce the sense of intimacy and make the writing more objective.
Emphasize Facts and Data:

Focus on presenting facts, statistics, and data rather than personal anecdotes or experiences. This can contribute to a more objective tone.
Neutral Language:

Maintain a neutral and balanced language. Avoid emotionally charged words or language that conveys personal opinions.
Passive Voice:

Use passive voice strategically to shift the focus away from the individual performing the action, creating a more detached tone.
Professional Jargon:

Incorporate professional or technical jargon when appropriate. This can add precision to your writing and contribute to a more formal tone.
Limited Descriptive Details:

Use fewer descriptive details, especially those related to personal emotions or sensory experiences. Stick to the essential information.
Consistent Structure:

Organize your writing in a structured manner with clear headings and subheadings. A consistent structure contributes to a more formal presentation.
Objective Reporting:

If you are reporting on events or findings, strive for objectivity. Present information without adding personal commentary or bias.
Avoiding Superlatives:

Steer clear of superlatives and exaggerated language. Stick to measured and precise expressions to convey information.
Eliminate Personal Stories:

Minimize or eliminate personal anecdotes or stories. Focus on the subject matter rather than personal experiences.
Use of Impersonal Constructions:

Employ impersonal constructions such as "It is observed that..." or "The data suggest..." to maintain a sense of detachment.
Clear and Concise Writing:

Keep your sentences and paragraphs clear and concise. Avoid unnecessary details or elaborations that might introduce a personal touch.
Maintain Professional Formatting:

Pay attention to formatting. Using a standard, professional format can contribute to a more distant and formal presentation.
Limited Use of Qualifiers:

Limit the use of qualifiers like "I believe" or "in my opinion." This helps present information more objectively.
Empirical Language:

Use empirical language that is based on observable and measurable evidence. This adds an objective and factual dimension to your writing.
Precision in Language:

Choose words carefully for precision. Using exact terminology reduces the chance of unintended personal connotations.
Avoiding First-Person Narration:

If you are writing a narrative, consider avoiding first-person narration. This can create a sense of detachment from the events being described.
Objective Analysis:

When presenting an analysis or argument, focus on the evidence and logic rather than personal opinions. Objectivity is key.
Remember to adapt these strategies based on the specific requirements of your writing task and the level of formality or objectivity needed in the given context.

Expressions used for distancing in communication can vary depending on the context and level of formality. Here are some expressions commonly used to create a sense of separation or objectivity:

Formal Introductions:

"Allow me to introduce the topic."
"I would like to present..."
"We shall now delve into..."
Objective Language:

"Based on the evidence..."
"According to the data..."
"The research indicates that..."
Avoiding Personal Pronouns:

"It is observed that..."
"One can argue that..."
"This suggests that..."
Impersonal Constructions:

"It is widely recognized that..."
"There is a consensus that..."
"It can be inferred from the data that..."
Emphasizing Facts and Data:

"Let's focus on the facts."
"The figures clearly show..."
"Examining the data reveals..."
Professional Jargon:

"Utilizing industry terminology..."
"Applying technical language..."
"In professional terms..."
Neutral Language:

"Taking a neutral stance..."
"Steering clear of biases..."
"Approaching this objectively..."
Using Passive Voice:

"It is suggested that..."
"The results were obtained by..."
"The issue has been addressed in previous studies..."
Focusing on the Subject Matter:

"Turning our attention to the topic..."
"Examining the subject matter..."
"Discussing the content..."
Keeping a Distance in Tone:

"Maintaining a formal tone..."
"Speaking in a detached manner..."
"Conveying information objectively..."
Professional Demeanor:

"In a professional context..."
"Keeping a business-like approach..."
"Adopting a formal demeanor..."
Stating Facts Clearly:

"Let's state the facts plainly."
"Presenting the information without embellishment."
"Sticking to the straightforward details."
Limiting Personal Stories:

"Avoiding personal anecdotes..."
"Focusing on the broader context..."
"Minimizing personal influences in this discussion..."
Staying on Topic:

"Keeping our focus on the main subject..."
"Avoiding unnecessary digressions..."
"Sticking to the core of the matter..."
Objectivity in Reporting:

"Reporting the findings objectively..."
"Presenting the results without personal commentary..."
"Delivering information in a straightforward manner..."
Expressing in a Measured Way:

"Expressing opinions in a measured manner..."
"Conveying thoughts with moderation..."
"Choosing words carefully to convey the message."
Keeping a Formal Approach:

"Maintaining a formal stance..."
"Approaching this from a formal perspective..."
"Speaking in a manner consistent with professional standards..."
Using Diplomatic Language:

"Choosing diplomatic expressions..."
"Presenting ideas with tact and diplomacy..."
"Utilizing language that promotes understanding."
These expressions can be adapted and combined based on the specific context and purpose of your communication. They help convey information objectively and maintain a professional or formal tone.