Fact and Opinion “ We can have facts Without thinking, but we cannot have thinking without facts.” John Dewey (1859 – 1952)

LA.A The student recognizes the difference between fact and opinion. Ferge the frog is factual. Otto the octopus is very opinionated.

Fact Ferge the factual frog states, ”a fact is a statement that is true. It can be proven by definition, observation, or by checking with a reliable source.”

Opinion An opinion is less concrete. It is a view formed in the mind of a person about a particular issue. Otto’s opinion is what someone believes or thinks, but it may not be the truth.

 Does the paragraph contain adjectives that express values, like good or bad? If so, it is an opinion.

Key Questions  Do opinions tell thoughts or feelings?  Would the statements be true all of the time?

Activity  Doctors help people who are sick.  Before electricity, many people burned candles to give them light. Fact or Opinion?

How Is Fact and Opinion Tested on FCAT Multiple Choice Short Response Extended Response

FCAT Short Response Sample  Why is a family important to one of the main characters in the article later in life?

 Support your answer by using facts from an article to support the importance of what the author is trying to convince others to think as he does.

FCAT Extended Response Sample  Read, Think, Explain. In an article, how does the In an article, how does the speaker’s opinion change speaker’s opinion change from the beginning to the end of the passage? from the beginning to the end of the passage?

 Support your answer by using facts to support how the author’s opinion changed.

Distinguishing Facts Spotting Facts  Ask yourself: Can this statement be checked or proven? If so, it is a fact.

Distinguishing an Opinion Spotting an Opinion:  Does the statement express personal feelings or judgment? If personal feelings or judgment? If so, it is an opinion. so, it is an opinion.  Does the statement contain verbs like feel, fear, or hope? If so, it is like feel, fear, or hope? If so, it is an opinion. an opinion.

 Does the paragraph contain adjectives that express values, like good or bad? If so, it is an opinion.

Test Taking Strategies  Label each answer choice either fact or opinion. fact or opinion.  Typically there will be 2 facts and 2 opinions. If the question asks, “which is a fact…”. Mark out the opinions. 2 opinions. If the question asks, “which is a fact…”. Mark out the opinions.

 If the question asks, “which is an opinion….”. Mark out the fact opinion….”. Mark out the fact statements. statements.  Decide which of the two remaining answers is in the remaining answers is in the passage. passage.

Key Words That Signal A FACT demonstratedaccordingconfirmdiscovered proves evidence truth actual verified

Words The Signal An Opinion dangerousdeliciousdifficultexcitingexpertview gloriousgreathardhelpfulimportantclaimsargues

WARNING Facts and opinions can be manipulated. Opinions can be presented as facts, simply by using the language of facts to present them.

Teacher Support Examples of the language we use to express facts: Examples of the language we use to express facts: This review has demonstrated… According to the results of the latest poll… The latest findings confirm… Researchers have recently discovered…

Teacher Support Here are some examples of the language we use to express opinion: Here are some examples of the language we use to express opinion: The company claims that …. The research team argues that …. In Professor Donald’s view…. Most experts in this field suspect that….