English 72Fact & Opinion -- Professor Elizabeth Buchanan

Fact and Opinion Today we are going to learn strategies that

will help you tell the difference between fact and opinion.

As students you spend a lot of time listening to other people—such as your teachers, parents, and friends.

You also listen to the radio and watch TV. Sometimes people tell you the truth, but

sometimes they are giving an opinion.

Facts A fact is a statement that can be proved. You can prove it yourself

o Or you can use a reliable authority. Example:

o Barack Obama is the 44th president of the United States.o How can we prove this?

Facts Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961, in

Honolulu, Hawaii. How can we prove this? By looking at his birth certificate.

Barack Obama is married to Michelle Obama.

How can we prove this? Look at their wedding certificate.

Facts

It is important to understand that "facts" can change over time for a variety of reasons. o At one time in the past, it was

considered to be a "fact" that the earth was at the center of the universe.

o Of course, we now know that this is not true.

Is this a fact? The requirements to vote in the United

States are: A U.S. citizen At least 21 years old by the general election A resident of your precinct at least 30 days

prior to Election Day.

Which of the three sentences on the previous slide is not a fact?

The voting age today is 18. However, this did not go into

effect until 1971. Before that time the voting age was 21.

Opinions So now we know that there are

many ways to determine if something is a fact, but what about opinions?

An opinion cannot be proved. It is based on someone’s feelings or judgment.

Fact or Opinion?

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6uHR90Sq6k

Can we really prove this?

Or is this a matter of opinion?

Opinions Opinions are beliefs or judgments that

cannot be proved by any objective means.

Any statement that deals with probabilities or future events is considered to be an opinion because it cannot be proved.

Opinions rely on abstract words that are not measurable, such as value-judgment words.

Words/Phrasing that Signal Opinion

I believe This suggests

Perhaps Apparently

Presumably In my view

Apparently It seems likely

In my opinion

Many experts agree

One interpretation is

One possibility is

Value Judgment Words

Necessary Interesting Successful Beautiful

Attractive Greatest Bad Nice

Worst Lovely Kind Thoughtful

Fact & Opinion Most of what we read and hear is a combination

of fact and opinion.

Because of this, it is important to be able to distinguish between the two.

Remember, not all opinions are of equal validity.

Poorly supported opinions are of little value, while opinions from an expert, or someone knowledgeable in the field, are considered to be more reliable.

Fact & Opinion In general, writers usually provide

evidence to support their ideas. However, as a critical reader, it is up to

you to review the evidence and determine the quality of the support.

Also, keep in mind what the author has left out.

Writers often try to mislead readers by leaving out some important information.

Let’s Practice Handout