Fact Vs. Opinion

FACT

A FACT is a statement that can be verified. They can be proven true or false. Statements of fact are objective. They contain information but DO NOT tell what the writer thinks or believes about the topic.

OPINION

An OPINION is a statement that expresses a writer’s feelings, attitudes, or beliefs. They are neither true nor false. They are one person’s view about a topic or issue.

Multiple Choice

Is this a FACT or an OPINION:

"My car payments are too expensive."

• FACT

• OPINION

Multiple Choice

Is this a FACT or an OPINION:

"My car payment is $250 a month."

• FACT

• OPINION

FACTS (Signal Words and Phrases)

• The annual report confirms...

• Scientists have recently discovered…

• According to the results of the tests…

• The investigation demonstrated…

OPINIONS (Signal Words and Phrases)

• He claimed that…

• It is the officer’s view that…

• The report argues that…

• Many scientists suspect that…

RED FLAG WORDS that you're hearing an OPINION:

• best

• always

• none

• worst

• every

• never

• all

Why is it important to be able to distinguish between FACTS and OPINIONS?

Informed Opinion

The opinions of experts are known as informed opinions. As experts in their field, they may make observations and offer comments that are not strictly factual. Instead, they are based on years of study, research, and experience.

"Chimpanzees, more than any other living creature, have helped us to understand that there is no sharp line between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom."

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-Jane Goodall, primate expert and ethologist

Poll

Read the statement below.

Ketchup is made from tomatoes.

Is this statement a fact or an opinion?

• fact

• opinion

• What's an opinion?

Poll

Read the statement below.

Blue is the prettiest color.

Is this statement a fact or an opinion?

• fact

• opinion

• What's an opinion?

Multiple Choice

Read the statement below and decide if it is an opinion.

Spiders are creepy.

• opinion

• not an opinion

Multiple Choice

Which is an opinion about Abraham Lincoln?

• He is on the penny and the five-dollar bill.

• He led the country during the Civil War

• He gave the most important speech in American history.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a fact?

• Fred and George are much funnier than Percy.

• JK Rowling is the luckiest person in the world.

• Daniel Radcliffe once guest-starred on "The Simpsons."

• Hermione is the smartest character in the "Harry Potter" books.

Multiple Choice

What is a synonym for "informed opinion?"

• Political opinion

• Correct opinion

• Strong opinion

• Knowledgeable opinion

Multiple Choice

"David Wright is the best hitter on the Mets. Last year, he led the team in batting average, runs scored, and runs batted in." This is:

• An informed opinion

• An uninformed opinion

Multiple Choice

What role do facts play in the formation of opinions?

• Without facts, you can't have an opinion.

• Facts are backed up by informed opinions.

• Informed opinions are backed up by facts.

• Facts and opinions have nothing to do with one another.

Multiple Choice

Who is likely to offer the most informed opinion about the history of the Eiffel Tower?

• The President of France

• A construction worker who helps build towers

• A tourist who's just visited Paris

• A professor of French architecture

Multiple Choice

Mia wants the grocery store to stop using plastic bags because they are bad for the environment. Which fact supports her argument?

• Plastic bags are easy to use and affordable.

• Plastic bags can take 100 years to break down in the environment