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Appendix A: Fact and Opinion

The Skilled Reader(Updated Edition)

by D. J. Henry

PowerPoint Presentation

by Gretchen Starks-Martin

St. Cloud State University, MN

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Fact and Opinion

A fact is a specific detail that is true based on objective proof.

An opinion is an interpretation, value judgment, or belief that cannot be proved or disproved. An opinion is created.

Objective proof can be physical evidence, an eyewitness account, and the conclusion arrived at by an accepted scientific method.

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Traits of Fact and Opinion

Facts Objective (not personal) State reality Are discovered Can be verified Are presented with

unbiased words

Opinions Subjective (personal) Interpret reality Are created Cannot be verified Are presented with

biased words.

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FACT

Lance Armstrong has competed in the Olympics twice, won the Tour De France four times, and overcome cancer.

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Opinion

Lance Armstrong is a fearless champion.

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Ask These Questions

Can the statement be proved or demonstrated to be true?

Can the statement be observed in practice or operation?

Can the statement be verified by witnesses, manuscripts, or documents?

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Fact or Opinion?

_____The blue whale has been listed as an endangered species for over twenty years.

_____Fast food restaurants serve mouth-watering food.

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__F___The blue whale has been listed as an endangered species for over twenty years. (this can be verified by research.)

__O__Fast food restaurants serve mouth-watering food. (Whether a food is “mouth-watering” is a matter of personal taste.)

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Some Biased Words to Identify Opinions

Amazing Awful Bad Beautiful Best Better Disgusting Exciting Favorite Frightful Fun Good

Great Greatest Handsome Horrible More Most Smart Stupid Unbelievable Ugly Very

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Qualifiers to Identify Opinions

All Always Appear Believe Could Every Has/have to It is believed May Might Must Never

Often Only Ought to Possibly, possible Probably, probable Seem Should Sometimes Think Usually

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A statement can be both fact and opinion.

Because walking in high heels strains the back and knees, women should never wear high-heels.

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Beware of False Facts

Lightening never strikes twice in the same place.

Bats are blind.

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Beware of Opinions Sounding Like Facts

The truth of the matter is that I never laughed so hard in my life.

Cats are agile animals; in fact, when they are falling, their movements are always graceful.

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Fact, Opinion, or Fact & Opinion?

____A snake’s skin is dry and smooth.

____The television comedy Seinfeld has won numerous awards; in fact, it is the greatest television comedy of all times.

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Fact, Opinion, or Fact & Opinion?

__F__A snake’s skin is dry and smooth.

_F & O_The television comedy Seinfeld has won numerous awards; in fact, it is the greatest television comedy of all times.

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Try your skill in recognizing fact and opinion from the exercises in Appendix A.