Fact v Opinion T.C. Norris Winter 2017

Introduction In order to be sure that the information one reads is reliable, one needs to be able to distinguish between facts and opinions. While, in general, facts can be trusted and opinions are questionable, both must be carefully analyzed. Not all “facts” can be trusted, and opinions can be correct. The following slides explain the difference between facts and opinions, what to look for to identify them, and how to determine whether or not they are reliable.

Definitions Fact Opinion A fact is a statement that can be proven true or false based on objective evidence. An opinion cannot be proven true or false because it is just what someone thinks or believes—it is subjective.

Clarification In general, a fact is something that is by nature true. If it were not true, it could not be considered a fact. However, not all statements that are presented as facts are necessarily true. “The sky is usually orange” sounds like a fact, but is it true? Does it correspond to what we usually observe the color of the sky to be? “His lecture was about the fact that there are beings living on the moon.” Is it true that there are beings living on the moon? Both of these statements sound true, but clearly are not. However, since they can be proven false with objective evidence, they are considered “facts” and not opinions.

Characteristics of Facts and Opinions Verifiable/Falsifiable Unquestionable True Objective (external) Unchangeable Not Verifiable/Falsifiable Room for disagreement Belief Subjective (internal) Change with individual

Bases of Facts and Opinions Data Observation Feelings Judgments Facts are based on things that can be measured and are not affected by what anyone thinks or believes. Opinions are based on things that cannot be measured but are expressions of what someone thinks or believes.

Terminology of Facts and Opinions Research Studies Reports Statistics Eyewitnesses Absolutes (always/never) Comparisons (good/bad, etc.) Believe Think Feel These terms in a statement are clues as to whether you are dealing with a fact or an opinion.

Cautions Verify the evidence! Facts Opinions Amount of evidence Quality of evidence Reliability of source Can be based on evidence = “informed opinion” but still an opinion. An opinion is only as good as the evidence it is based on. Verify the evidence!

Guidelines Is there evidence to back up the statement? Does the evidence back up the statement? Is the evidence authoritative and verifiable (trustworthy)? Is the source of the evidence qualified? Does the statement change depending on who says it? Asking the right questions will help one avoid accepting someone’s opinion as fact.

Determine whether the following statements are facts or opinions. Practice Determine whether the following statements are facts or opinions. Chocolate ice cream is the best. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A pound of lead is heavier than a pound of feathers. . . One can get muscle cramps by swimming after eating. People shouldn’t swim after they eat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The weather is hotter in summer than it is in winter. . . Someone should do something to make summer cooler. Homeless animals deserve to have a happy home. . . . . . Fact Opinion       

Summary Facts are based on objective (“outside”) evidence and can be measured. Opinions are based on subjective (“inside”) feelings or judgments and cannot be measured. Facts are what they are, no matter what anyone says about them. Opinions change, depending on personal perspective. Facts can be trusted (if the evidence backs them up). Opinions cannot be trusted (unless reliable evidence backs them up). Analyzing the nature of statements will enable one to distinguish between facts and opinions, and determine what can and cannot be trusted.

Resources https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs9ZGW_1oMM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1iQAadkv3w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzUtSaa7AQU These three videos discuss the difference between facts and opinions. Of all the YouTube videos that discus the difference between facts and opinions, these three are the clearest. Fact Opinion