FACT VS.

OPINION

What is the
diff erence?

WHAT ARE FACTS?

Facts can be proven to be true or false
Today is Monday.
Facts can apply to all people and places
All people must eat to live.
Facts can be duplicated over and over with the same
result
Yellow and blue make green.
Facts can be observed or historical
The Civil War occurred from 1861-1865.

WHAT ARE OPINIONS?

Opinions are a persons own thoughts, feelings,
beliefs, or speculations.
Opinions cannot be proven and are not 100% true or
false.
Examples of opinions:
It is a beautiful day outside.
Green beans are the best tasting vegetable.
The Harry Potter series is the best book of all time.

WHERE MIGHT YOU SEE FACTS &

OPINIONS?
FACTS
Textbooks
Encyclopedias
Non-Fiction books
Parts of Newspapers
Dictionary
Almanac
Primary sources
( fi r s t h a n d i n f o rm a t i o n f ro m t h e
past a photograph, letter,
s p e e c h , t re a t y , j o u rn a l )

OPINIONS
Political speech
Editorial
Advertisement
Autobiography
Self-Help book

NOW IT IS YOUR TURN

Which parts of a newspaper are fact, and which
are opinion?
Letter to the editor
Restaurant review
Sports scores
Weather forecast
Obituaries
Advice Columns
Birth/Wedding announcements
Movie times
Movie reviews
Horoscopes

HOW DID YOU DO?

Which parts of a newspaper are fact, and
which are opinion?
Letter to the editor
Restaurant review
Sports scores
Weather forecast
Obituaries
Advice Columns
Birth/Wedding announcements
Movie times
Movie reviews
Horoscopes

Opinion
Opinion
Fact
Opinion
Fact
Opinion
Fact
Fact
Opinion
Opinion

WHAT ABOUT WEBSITES?

When trying to determine whether something is a fact
or opinion online, remember.
Just because something is posted on a webpage does not
make it fact.
Check the webpages sources:
Generally .gov, .org, and .edu sites are most reliable
ANYONE can start a .com or .net webpage and post whatever
information they choose

Wikipedia is not a reliable source

JUST REMEMBER
Facts can be proven!
Opinions are subject to personal views.
Just because more than one person agrees with a
statement does not make something a fact.
Facts can be proven repeatedly.