Fact and Opinion What are facts l A

Fact and Opinion

What are facts? l A fact is something you can prove i. e. back up with evidence. l For example: We live in England is a fact.

What are opinions? l An opinion is your view of something. l For example: l Roast beef is delicious. l Chelsea are brilliant.

l Writers often mix fact and opinion. l It is not always easy to tell whether something is based on fact or opinion. l So read with a questioning mind. l Just because someone says something is true does mean it is true? What do you think?

Language of Fact and Opinion l How do we tell between fact and opinion? 1. Look at the language Language helps us to decide whether something is fact if it can be backed up with evidence and checked in some way

Language of Fact l Here are some examples of the language we use to express facts: l l This review has demonstrated. . . . According to the results of the latest poll. . . The latest findings confirm. . . Researchers have recently discovered. . . l Look at the key words used to express facts: discovered, demonstrated, according, confirm.

Language of Opinion l Here are some examples of the language we use to express opinion: l l The company claims that. . . The research team argues that. . . In Professor Donald's view. . . Most experts in this field suspect that. . . l HINT: Look at the key words used to express opinion: claims, argues, view, suspect.