What is a balanced answer?

Answer 1

A balanced answer is one that is as unbiased as possible. You are allowed to have an opinion, and to express that opinion in your answer. But you also need to explain what other people's opinions are, as fairly and respectfully as possible.

Your answers can be in favor of one particular point of view; that's not a problem. But your answers should not provide ONLY your point of view. In other words, don't act like your opinion is the Lord's Gospel truth, and anyone who disagrees with you is an idiot.

A balanced answer provides each viewpoint, and the facts and reasoning behind them, and then lets the reader decide the truth for himself. A one-sided answer argues only one viewpoint, scorns and trivializes the viewpoints of others, and ultimately is trying to convince the reader of something, instead of letting them decide for themselves.

For example, if you are answering a question about Midtown Manhattan, you could write, "Some people consider Times Square to be part of Midtown, but in my opinion, this is really not correct, and here's why..."

And avoid making harsh statements like, "People on welfare are losers who are too lazy to get a job and would rather live off the government." Instead, you could say something like, "In my opinion, welfare infantalizes people, instead of forcing them to rely on themselves."

However, there are some questions that are a matter of opinion, not fact. For those questions, each person writes their own opinion, and, after awhile, we have many different answers that provide the full spectrum of opinions on the subject.