NE - Fact and Opinion Lesson

Fact and Opinion Lesson

Introduction

A fact is information that can be verified or proven. Good readers use facts and opinions that determine if what they are reading is valid. Feeling or emotions don't influence facts. An opinion is information that cannot be proven or verified.

To figure out if a statement is a fact, you need to ask yourself - Can I prove or disprove the statement? How would I prove it?

Example: Ingles has 18 aisles. Can I prove this? How would I prove this?

You can prove it by going to Ingles and counting the number of aisles. If the store has 18 aisles, then it is a fact. If the store has 11 or 16 aisles, then this statement is an untrue fact.

Example: Pizza Hut has the best bread sticks and pizza. Can I prove this?

We cannot prove that Pizza Hut has the "best" bread sticks and pizza. "Best" means different things to different people. This statement is an opinion. It can be easily argued.

Here are a few more:

  1. Australia's main export is iron ore. (true fact - can be proven by checking reference books)
  2. Georgia has 64 counties. (untrue or false fact - can be proven false by checking reference books, Georgia has 159 counties)
  3. Frozen waffles are possibly the worst breakfast food. (opinion - signal words "possibly" and "worst,"  cannot be proven, a point of view)
  4. You should wear the purple dress. (opinion - signal word "should," a point of view)

Why It is Important to a Journalist:

  • Good stories include both fact and opinion.
  • Opinions must be attributed to sources.
  • Facts don't need to be attributed, unless they are contested or controversial.
  • In serious news pieces, avoid words that suggest a personal judgment or opinion ("should" or "good").
  • Avoid interpretation if not supported by fact.

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