Fact and Opinion
Identify the subjective language of opinion and feeling, and the objective language of factual reporting.
Read this first
A fact can be checked. An opinion is what someone thinks.
Words you need
- Fact
- Something you can check and prove.
- Opinion
- What someone thinks or feels. Others may disagree.
- Opinion word
- A word like best, lovely or should. It signals a feeling.
Worked example
e.g. Is this a fact or an opinion? Whales are the best animals in the sea.
- Ask the test question. Can I check this?
- Look for opinion words. Here it is best.
- Best is a feeling word. Someone else may pick sharks.
- So it cannot be checked. It is an opinion.
- Now try the other one. Whales breathe air.
- That can be checked in a book. It is a fact.
One test: can I check it? If no, it is an opinion.
Practice
Ask one question: can I check this?
1Our school has 12 classrooms. Fact or opinion?with a picture
AnswerFact. You can count them.
2Maths is the hardest subject. Fact or opinion?with a picture
AnswerOpinion. Hardest is a feeling word.
3Dogs make better pets than cats. Fact or opinion?with a hint
Need a hint?
Look for the feeling word.
AnswerOpinion. Better signals it.
4Water freezes at zero degrees. Fact or opinion?with a hint
Need a hint?
Can you check it?
AnswerFact.
5Everyone should recycle. Fact or opinion?on your own
AnswerOpinion. Should signals it.
6Write one fact and one opinion about rain.on your own
AnswerFact: rain is water. Opinion: rainy days are dull.
Think about it
1
An advert says a drink is the tastiest. Why use an opinion, not a fact?
One good answerAn opinion cannot be proved wrong. It sells the drink without lying.
2
Can a fact be wrong?
One good answerYes. A wrong fact is still a fact-type sentence, because you can still check it.
Common mistakes
If I disagree with it, it must be an opinion.
Not so. Facts stay facts even when you dislike them. Ask if it can be checked.
Opinions are not allowed in writing.
They are. You just need reasons to back them up.