1. How to Tell the Difference
Fact and Opinion
How to Tell the Difference

2. Facts Facts are statements that can be proven true or false. Examples
1. Statistically, women live longer than men.
Most buses weigh more than most cars.
There are ten inches in a foot (false).

3. Opinions Opinions can be argued. Opinions may be supported with facts.
Opinions are statements that cannot be proven true or false. Clue words are best, worse, think and feel.
Opinions can be argued.
Opinions may be supported with facts.
Examples
Golf is boring.
Pizza is delicious.
Math is the hardest subject.

4. Valid vs. Faulty Opinions
A Valid Opinion can be supported by facts.
Example: Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback in NFL history. He has 3 Superbowl wins and 2 league MVP’s.
A Faulty Opinion cannot be supported and often shows bias. Example: Orange juice is better than apple juice.

5. Bias
A strong opinion or feeling formed beforehand based on how you were raised or sometimes without thought or reason.
Example: Everyone knows that blonde hair is the best!

6. Example:
When the symphony used to pick musicians they mainly chose males over females. Now to make sure they are not biased, they do not look at the performers they only listen to the music. The ratio of males to females is more balanced now due to this change.

7. Which of the following is biased?
I gave my candy away.
I only gave candy to my friends.
Candy hurts my teeth.
Some people don’t like candy.

8. Which of the following is biased?
The referee called a flag on the play.
The Titans won the game on Sunday.
The crowd booed when the referee called a flag on the play against the Titans.
The other team only scored one touchdown.

9. I have to buy ice cream for the party
I have to buy ice cream for the party. My favorite type of ice cream is chocolate. Even though its my mom’s birthday and I know she likes strawberry ice cream, I think I will buy chocolate anyway. How is this an example of bias?

10. Our new science textbook will be terrific
Our new science textbook will be terrific. I have used other books by this author and really liked them. Another teacher at our school says that this book is really good too.
Is this biased? If so how?

11. What is a generalization?
Generalizations are conclusions about a group based on details about its members.
Birds have feathers.

12. Key Words Sometimes Always Never Most Many All Generally
The key words change the meaning of the generalization.
Some flowers have petals.
Flowers always have petals.
Flowers never have petals.
Most flowers have petals.
Many flowers have petals.
All flowers have petals.
Flowers generally have petals.
You have to be VERY careful if you use the word never. Does it NEVER happen?? Is it remotely possible??
Likewise you have to be careful with the words always and all. They include the whole group. Does it ALWAYS happen??

13. Valid Generalizations
Valid means true.
Supported by facts
Agrees with what you already know about the topic
Uses logic and reasoning
Proven with several examples

14. Faulty Generalizations
Faulty means false.
Not supported by facts
Watch for the key words: none, all, always, never, everyone, nobody

15. Chocolate is everyone’s favorite dessert.
What is wrong with this generalization?
How could you make it a valid generalization?

16. Read the following passage:
Ginger is one of my best friends. When I enter my home, she races to greet me with kisses and excited leaps. She acts like it’s been eight days since she’s seen me, instead of the actual eight hours. Her coat is honey brown; her eyes are large and loving.

17. She’s a six- month old cocker spaniel puppy, a breed originally intended to hunt birds in England. Her faithful companionship comforts me when I’m sad or sick. Her playfulness makes me laugh when she races after a toy I’ve tossed. All cocker spaniels make perfect pets.

18. What generalization is made in the passage?

19. All cocker spaniels make perfect pets.
Is this a valid generalization?
Does the author:
Use facts to support the idea?
Share past experiences to support the idea?
Provide several examples?
Use logical thinking?

20. Is this a valid generalization?
What words does it use that makes you think it is or isn’t?
What could they do to make it a valid generalization?

21. Ginger is one of my best friends
Ginger is one of my best friends. When I enter my home, she races to greet me with kisses and excited leaps. She acts like it’s been eight days since she’s seen me, instead of the actual eight hours. Her coat is honey brown; her eyes are large and loving.

22. She’s a six- month old cocker spaniel puppy, a breed originally intended to hunt birds in England. Her faithful companionship comforts me when I’m sad or sick. Her playfulness makes me laugh when she races after a toy I’ve tossed. All cocker spaniels make perfect pets.

23. Remember:
Generalizations make conclusions about a group based on details about its members.
Some are valid, others are faulty.
Valid generalizations are supported by facts, examples, and logical thinking.
Watch out for words like all or never.