2. Facts, Opinions, or Blends of Both Objective: To learn the difference between which statements are purely factual or opinionated, or have a combination of both.

3. Which of the following statements is and fact and which is an opinion?  1. On August 17, 1896, forty-four year old Bridget Driscoll became the first woman to be killed by a car. The car was traveling four miles an hour and the impact proved fatal.  2. The traffic death of forty-four year old Bridget Driscoll in 1895 was the beginning of an epidemic of traffic accidents that has no end in sight.

4. Statement 1 is a Fact. Statement 2 is an Opinion.  Satement 1 is a fact because it can be proven true or false by researching government records, newspaper accounts, reference books, history texts, or eye witness accounts.  Statement 2 is an opinion because it cannot be verified and relies on a personal judgment. Everyone might not agree that traffic deaths are an epidemic. Also, traffic deaths cannot be controlled or limited in the future.

5. Detecting the Difference Factual Statements  Are likely to use date, numbers, and statistics.  Describe events in objective language that has no emotional effect.  Don’t make predictions, value judgments, or interpretations.  Can be verified. Statements of Opinion  Uses language that produces an emotional effect.  Makes value judgments. “George Washington was the best president.”  Predict future events.  Provide interpretations. “Tupac Shakur could not escape his violent past.”  Cannot be checked for accuracy.

6. Fact: In 2008, cyclist Lance Armstrong announced he would come out of retirement..

7. Combining Fact and Opinion into a Blend  Opinion: Lance Armstrong should not compete in the Tour de France bicycle race.  Blend: Lance Armstrong announced he was coming out of retirement in 2008, but has no business making a comeback and participating in the Tour de France bicycle race.  Conclusion: Writers use a blend of facts and opinions to persuade their readers to agree with their opinions. When facts are mixed with opinions, they demonstrate bias.  Acknowledgements: Laraine Flemming: Reading for Thinking