1. How Can You Tell the Difference?
Fact and Opinion:
How Can You Tell the Difference?

2. Facts
Discuss: How can you tell if a
statement is a fact?

3. A fact can be verified through observation.
Cats have whiskers.
You can look at cats and see the whiskers.

4. A fact can be verified using a resource.
The capitol of Indiana is Indianapolis.
You can look up Indiana’s capitol online or in a reference book.

5. A fact can be verified by measuring.
Sam wears size 10 shoes.
You can measure Sam’s foot to prove it.

6. A fact can be verified by counting.
Eight ounces equal one cup.
You can count the ounces it takes to make a cup.

7. Opinions
Discuss: How can you tell if a statement is an opinion?

8. It is an opinion if someone might disagree.
Those boots are ugly.

9. An opinion may include the word should.
Martin should get a new car.

10. An opinion may include the words should not.
Sara should not eat a whole cake .

11. An opinion may include the word too.
The cocoa is too hot.

12. An opinion may evaluate the quality of something using good, better, or best.
Nike makes good shoes.

13. An opinion may evaluate the quality of something using good, better, or best.
Red grapes taste better than green grapes.

14. An opinion may evaluate the quality of something using good, better, or best.
Basketball is the best sport.

15. An opinion may evaluate the quality of something using bad, worse, or worst.
Mom cooked a bad meal last night.

16. An opinion may evaluate the quality of something using bad, worse, or worst.
Snowy weather is worse than rainy weather.

17. An opinion may evaluate the quality of something using bad, worse, or worst.
Measles is the worst disease.

18. An opinion may judge an attribute of something using an adjective.
Shiloh is an exciting book.

19. An opinion may judge an attribute of something using an adjective.
Broccoli smells terrible.

20. An opinion may judge an attribute of something using an adjective.
A pogo stick is a fun gift.

21. An opinion may compare things using more or most.
Chess is more difficult than checkers.

22. An opinion may compare things using more or most.
Pumpkin pie is the most delicious dessert.

23. An opinion may compare things using -er or -est.
Math is easier than science.

24. An opinion may compare things using -er or -est.
Halloween is the scariest holiday.

25. Practice
Tell whether each of the following statements a fact or an opinion.
Justify each answer by explaining how you know.

26. Fact or Opinion?
The flag of Indiana has 19 stars.

27. Fact or Opinion?
California has the most beautiful flag.

28. Fact or Opinion?
It’s silly to be scared of spiders.

29. Fact or Opinion?
Lavender is a prettier color than orange.

30. Fact or Opinion?
Zebras have black and white stripes.

31. Fact or Opinion?
There are 12 inches in a foot.

32. Fact or Opinion?
Ford is the best brand of car.

33. Fact or Opinion?
Movies are more interesting than books.

34. Fact or Opinion?
Malls are too crowded.

35. Fact or Opinion?
The table is three feet tall.

36. Discussion
Create some facts and opinions of your own.