Fact and Opinion: Is There Really a Difference

Agenda: 1/12/2011Pre-Test Fact andOpinionFact and OpinionVideoFact and OpinionMini LessonFact and OpinionPracticePrefix/SuffixPracticeHomework:Packet due TuesdayBell RingerPre-Test over Fact and Opinion –keep it at your desk whenfinished.

Fact and Opinion: Is ThereReally a DifferenceEvery man has a right to be wrong in his opinions.But no man has a right to be wrong in his facts.-Baruch, Bernard M 1870-1965American Financier{Click mouse to continue}

How to Navigate Through aPowerPoint WorkshopThis PowerPoint Presentation is designed tobe experienced as a workshop.To ensure that you do not miss importantinformation, only use your mouse at thisprompt:{Click mouse to continue}{Click mouse to continue}

Let’s Get The Facts Straight!There is a difference betweenFACT and OPINION.Facts are statements that can be proven.Opinions can not be proven. They are basedon someone's thoughts, their feelings and theirunderstanding.Though you may be able to use facts to addcredibility to an opinion, it is still an opinion!Though an opinion may be widely accepted, thatdoes not make it a fact.{Click mouse to continue}

Let’s Get The Facts Straight!A fact is something that can be provenby a reliable authority such as:Ahistory bookStatisticsProvenscientific lawMathematicsMeasurementsAn observationGovernmentallawNote : None of these authorities are fool proof, but information that theyprovide is considered to be fact.{Click mouse to continue}

Lets Look at Some Examples of FactsFactsJohn F. Kennedy wasPresident 1961-1963Must Have aThe adult human bodyhas 206 bones56% of US gun Deathsare suicides21 is the legal drinkingage in Cincinnati, OH{Click mouse to continue}History BookScienceStatisticReliableAuthorityGovernmentalLaw

More Examples of FactsWhat About Observations?Observations are facts because they can be proven by the senses.FactSome flowers arelarger than others.The shirt is green.How it is ProvableYou can bring inflowers of varioussizesYou can bring in theshirt so that the colorcan be seen{Click mouse to continue}

Getting the Facts on FactsSome facts change over time.For example:It was once considered to be a fact that the world was flat.We believed that those traveling too far in either direction couldliterally fall off!Because new things are being discovered everyday, reliable authorities are sometimes forcedto alter what we all once considered to be facts.{Click mouse to continue}

Lets Look at Some Examples ofJohn F. Kennedy was anOpinionsHere are some of the same topics that we saw as facts.Can you figure out how they were changed to opinions?excellentPresident.Apparently, the adult human body has morebones than necessary.It is likely that the US suicide rate All will of these decreasesoon.words are hintsIt is unfairthat there is anopinion present.for the legal drinking age to be 21.{Click mouse to continue}

Types of OpinionsThere are Several Types of Opinions:• Hypothesis Statements• Theory Statements• Assumptive Statements• Value Statements• Exaggerated StatementsLets Take a Quick Look at all of them.{Click mouse to continue}

Types of Opinions:Statements of HypothesisA Hypothesis is an assumption made in an attempt toexplain an observation. Though an Observation is a Fact, aHypothesis is an Opinion.For Example, if I were to elaborate on a previous observation andsay:Some flowers are larger than othersbecause they are in more fertile soil.This hypothesis would have to be further investigatedand scientifically proven to be considered a fact.{Click mouse to continue}

Types of Opinions:Statements of TheoryA theory is an opinion that is a widely believedexplanation for a group of observations. Here are twowell known examples:• The Theory of Relativity.• The Evolutionary Theory.Though many scientists believe that these theories are true, we still considerthem to be opinions rather than facts because they have not been proven.{Click mouse to continue}

Types of Opinions:Statements of AssumptionAn assumptive statement is an opinion that is animprovable prediction. Here are three examplesIf Hillary Clinton ran for President she woulddefinitely win.The war in Iraq will eventually cost the US all ofits allies.When that new movie comes out it will definitelybe at the top of the charts!Though these are stated as though they are true, they are only assumptive opinions.{Click mouse to continue}

Types of Opinions:Statements of ValueA value statement is any claim that is based onsomeone's beliefs. Here are three examplesColin Powell is an excellent candidate for president.The use of animals in lab testing is cruel and mustbe stopped.The Bahamas is the most beautiful place on Earth.Value Statements are often opinions attempting to sway the reader to a certain belief.{Click mouse to continue}

Types of Opinions:Statements of ExaggerationAn exaggerated statement is one that embellishes thefacts, often to sway the reader. Here are two examplesThere were millions of people rioting onthe streets of down town Cincinnati.The president has not made one gooddecision since he has been in office!Writers often use exaggeration to make their point more clear. They are still opinions.{Click mouse to continue}

Opinions: Words To Look Out ForThere are Certain Words that will Warn You thatYou are Being Given an Opinion andNot a Fact!MaybePerhapsBest / WorstExperts AgreeSuccessfulNecessaryApparentlyProbably{Click mouse to continue}

Getting the Facts About OpinionsAn opinion is not necessarily wrong, it is merelynot a provable fact.For example:“Bridgett is a very beautiful young lady.”Even if everyone agreed with this statement, it is still an opinion because it isnot provable. Beauty is relative.{Click mouse to continue}

Keeping Your Facts StraightDo you think that you can separate facts from opinions?The next slide will have five statements. Decide whethereach statement is a fact, or an opinion. Write down youanswers on a separate sheet of paper.{Click mouse to continue}

Keeping Your Facts StraightSeparate the facts from the opinions.The best way to choose a spouse is based on brains, not beauty.The car probably stopped running because it ran out of gas.The Learning Center is in the Educational Services Building.If I were to go on to receive my Bachelors, I would not besuccessful.There are 121 prescription drugs that come from plants.Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.{Click mouse to continue}

Keeping Your Facts StraightHow well did you do?The car probablystopped running becauseit ran out of gas.-Opinion: hypothesisIf I were to go on toreceive my Bachelors, Iwould not be successful.-Opinion:AssumptionThe Learning Center isin the EducationalServices Building.-FactThe best way to choosea spouse is based onbrains, not beauty.-Opinion: valuestatementThere are 121 prescription drugs that come from plants.-Fact{Click mouse to continue}

Need more helpSeparating Facts from Opinions?Visit Us on Campus at:The Learning CenterRoom 100Educational Services Building{Click mouse to end workshop}