Facts and Opinions

Is there really a difference?

IntroductionWhat is a fact?What is an opinion?How do we distinguish a fact from an opinion?

Exercise

Overview

It is important to be able to distinguish between fact and opinion. After completing this activity, students will be able to identify statements that are fact or opinion and will be able to create examples of statements that are fact or opinion.

Introduction

Facts are statements that can be proven.

What is a fact?

Opinions can not be proven. They are based on someone's thoughts, their feelings and their understanding.

What is an opinion?

Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between statements that are facts and statements that are fiction.

A FACT can be proven to be true.An OPINION is what someone believes -it cannot be proven true or false.

How do we distinguish a fact from an opinion?

If you can find proof, or evidence for a statement, then it is a FACT.

Deciding if a statement is a Fact

Rabbits are mammals. Milton Cato was the first prime minister of

the St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The earth orbits the sun. There are books in the library. Barbados is 100 miles west of St. Vincent. Kingstown is the capital of St. Vincent. Birds lay eggs.

Look at these sentences:

You decide - Fact or Opinion Elephants have four legs.

Rabbits are friendlier that cats

You decide - Fact or Opinion

Black is the best color for a dog.

You decide - Fact or Opinion

Many people have dogs for pets.

You decide - Fact or Opinion

Ralph Gonsalves is the fourth prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Fact or opinion?

Football is a more exciting game than cricket

Fact or opinion?

Unprotected sex is dangerous.

Factor or opinion?

Remember:A FACT can be proven to be true.

An OPINION is what someone believes -it cannot be proven true or

false.

ExerciseNow try these in your exercise book

Instructions: Write Fact or Opinion at the end of each statement.

The best way to choose a spouse is based on brains, not beauty.The car probably stopped running because it ran out of gas.The Learning Resource Centre is in Barrouallie.If I were to go on to do my CXCs I would not be successful.There are 121 prescription drugs that come from plants.Ralph Gonsalves is the best prime minister this country ever had.Over 33% of Vincentians live in poverty.The greatest man to ever walk the earth is Jesus Christ.All students should own a laptopBailey –Blue House is leading in the points standing before sports day.

Separate the facts from the opinions

The End