1. Critical readers must learn to separate fact from opinion. Copyright © 2012 Patricia Hutchison

2. FACTS Information that can be proved to be true OR false Physical proof Testimony of witnesses Example: Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14 th.

3. OPINIONS An opinion is a belief, judgment, or conclusion that cannot be proven. Use value words such as: best, worst, lovely Often use the words should and ought

4. Watch out! Statements of fact may be found to be untrue. These are called errors. But they are still facts, not opinions. Don’t mistake widely held opinions for facts. These are often found in advertisements. The Ford Focus is the most economical car on the road today. This seems like a fact, but what is meant by the term economical? It might not mean the same thing to all people. This is an opinion because it makes a judgment.

5. Watch Out! Much of what we read is a mixture of fact and opinion. One of the most delicious soft drinks, Coca-Cola, was first intended to cure various ills, including headaches. It is a fact that Coca-Cola was intended as a medicine, however the word delicious is a judgment. This statement would be marked F + O

6. Watch Out! Statements that talk about FUTURE events are opinions. No one can predict the future with absolute accuracy. These statements cannot be verified. Scientists predict that within 10 years the population of the earth will double. This statement cannot be verified at present. We won’t know for sure until the 10 years is up. Therefore, this is an opinion.

7. Practice Decide if these statements are fact, opinion, or fact and opinion. Patients should always follow the advice of their primary care physician. There are over 3,000 species of lizards known today. Robert Louis Stevenson, a gifted writer, wrote the novel, Kidnapped. I am going to make a better grade on the math test than anyone else. The mayor made a speech to discuss the city's crime rate.