Fact vs Opinion Intro

Learning Intention:

We are learning to write a research article using an objective tone.

Success Criteria:

• I can distinguish between
  a fact and an opinion

• I can paraphrase
  information using
  objective language

Your Research: Voice

● Requires an objective tone

● Purpose is to inform your research on a

topic to a scholarly audience

● Word choice and language is strictly

academic and specific to the topic

• “The Eiffel Tower was built

between 1887 and 1889.”

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A MATTER OF FACT

• “Russia is the country with

the largest land mass.”

Dates or numbered terms
typically indicate facts.

A fact is a true statement that
can be proven using evidence.

Below are some clues that may signal

to you that a statement is a fact.

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FACT CLUES

• According to…
• In the year…
• Statistics show…
• Numbers
• Evidence
• Science
• Record
• Dates
• Verified information
• Eye-witness accounts

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SHARING OPINIONS

An opinion is a personal belief or feeling that

cannot be proven using evidence.

• “I think this will be a

nice experience for
both of us.”

Look for words that suggest a personal belief that cannot be proven.

• “Spring is better

than summer.”

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OPINION CLUES

Below are some words that may signal to you that a statement is an opinion.

• Think
• Point of view
• Feel
• Believe
• Feeling adjectives (good/bad)
• Superlatives (better, best, worst)
• Probably
• Agree/disagree

Be careful about what your

write down

Example:

Fact: The Holocaust was the systematic elimination of Jewish people and other people that did not agree
with Nazi politics.

Opinion: The Holocaust was a horrendous event
during WWII where the Nazi’s killed Jewish people.

*Facts can be verified, opinions can be debated.*