Facts and opinions – Thinking

critically
B2.1

Fact or opinion
_ A fact is a statement that can be proven true or false. It is based on evidence and can be verified
by multiple sources.
_ An opinion is a statement that expresses a belief or feeling. It cannot be proven true or false and
is based on the individual's perspective.

Facts about facts

_ Facts can be proven true or false. Opinions cannot be proven true or false.
_ Facts are based on evidence. Opinions are based on personal beliefs or feelings.
_ Facts are usually objective. Opinions are usually subjective.
_ Facts are usually stated in a neutral way. Opinions are often stated in a way that expresses the
speaker's feelings or beliefs.
_ Facts are often supported by multiple sources. Opinions are often supported by only one source,
or by the speaker's own personal experience.

Why identifying fact from opinion is an essential skill

_ It helps us to avoid being misled or manipulated by others.
_ It helps us to be more persuasive in our own arguments.
_ It helps us to be better citizens and consumers.
_ It helps us to be more critical of the media and other sources of information.
_ It helps us to be more informed and engaged in the world around us.

Fact signal words:

_ According to: This indicates that the information is coming from a specific source.
_ Data: This indicates that the information is based on statistics or research.
_ Fact: This indicates that the information is true.
_ Found: This indicates that the information has been discovered or verified.
_ Studies have shown: This indicates that the information is based on research.
Opinion signal words:
_ Believe: This indicates that the information is based on the speaker's belief.
_ Feel: This indicates that the information is based on the speaker's feeling.
_ In my opinion: This indicates that the information is the speaker's opinion.
_ I think: This indicates that the information is the speaker's opinion.
_ Personally: This indicates that the information is the speaker's opinion.

Second conditional
The second conditional is a grammatical structure used to talk about hypothetical situations.
It is formed with the following pattern: If + past simple, would + infinitive
For example, "If I had more money, I would buy a new car."
This sentence is saying that the speaker would buy a new car if they had more money.
However, the second conditional can also be used with facts and opinions. For example:

Facts:
_ If the Earth were flat, we would all fall off.
_ If I were to eat that cake, I would get sick.
_ If you were to jump off that cliff, you would die.

Opinions:
_ If I were you, I would vote for that candidate.
_ If I had the power, I would make the world a better place.
_ If I were a bird, I would fly away.

Informed decisions
_ An informed decision is a decision that is made after considering all of the relevant information
and weighing the pros and cons of each option. It is a decision that is based on facts, not on
emotions or personal opinions.
How to make informed decisions
_ Gather information. The first step to making an informed decision is to gather as much
information as possible about the issue. This includes reading articles, watching videos, and
talking to people who have different perspectives on the issue.
_ Identify the pros and cons of each option. Once you have gathered information, you need to
identify the pros and cons of each option. This will help you to weigh up the different options and
to make a more informed decision.
_ Consider your values. Your values are the things that are important to you. They should play a
role in making any decision, big or small. When you are considering different options, think about
how each option aligns with your values.
_ Talk to others. Sometimes it can be helpful to talk to others about a decision that you are
making. They may be able to provide you with new information or insights that you had not
considered.
_ Trust your gut. Sometimes, you just have to go with your gut feeling. If you have considered all
of the information and you still feel strongly about one option, then go with that option.

Context
Context is the information that surrounds a statement and helps to determine its meaning. For
example, the statement "I think the new Star Wars movie was terrible" is an opinion. However, if
this statement is made in a conversation about movies, it may be interpreted as a fact. This is
because the context of the conversation provides the listener with information about the
speaker's opinion on movies.
_ Look for evidence. Facts can be supported by evidence, such as scientific research or
eyewitness testimony. Opinions cannot be supported by evidence.
_ Consider the source. The source of a statement can also be a clue as to whether it is a fact or
an opinion. Statements from experts or from sources with a reputation for accuracy are more
likely to be facts. Statements from people with no expertise or from sources with a reputation for
bias are more likely to be opinions.
_ Be aware of your own biases. We all have biases, which are beliefs or opinions that we hold
without evidence. It is important to be aware of your own biases so that you can avoid letting
them cloud your judgment.