FACT AND OPINION

Facts

 A statement of fact is something known to be true.

 It can be verified by doing research.

The sun rises in

Monkeys are
the east.
mammals.
 Opinions
 A statement of opinion cannot be proven
true or false.
 It is a belief or judgment.
 It may begin with the words In my opinion or I
believe.

Bananas are
Emma Maembong
the best
is the fruit on
prettiest
a summer
woman day.
in Malaysia!
 Opinions
 A statement of opinion should be supported.
 A valid opinion is supported by facts or good logic.
 A faulty opinion is not.
 Fact and Opinion
 Some sentences contain both statements of fact and
statements of opinion.

It is the The size of a

author’s
opinion that the blue whale
whale is can be
beautiful. proven.

The beautiful whale can grow

as big as 100 feet long!
 Are these statements facts or opinions?

Pagoh is the best place to live in.

Segamat is called Durian city of Johore.
 Nasi Lemak is the best Malay dish.

Is this statement a fact or an opinion?

It cannot be proven true or false. It

involves a belief or judgment, feelings. It
might be a valid opinion, but it is not a fact.
 Peah has lived in Pagoh her whole life.

Is this statement a fact or an opinion?

This can be proven. A person could
research this statement.
 Peah and her family believe their hometown is a
special place.

Is this statement a fact or an opinion?

It involves a belief or judgment. Notice
that “believe” is one of words that signals
an opinion.
Mother whales are proud parents. They lift their
babies up to show them off.
Is this statement a fact or an opinion?

It involves a belief or judgment. It

cannot be proven whether whales are
proud parents or not.
Whales’ brains are as large as a car’s engine.
Is this statement a fact or an opinion?

This can be proven. A person could

research this statement.
 As you read, try to distinguish
facts from opinions.
 Remember how to figure out if
a statement is a fact or an
opinion.
 Remember that opinions can be
valid, but that doesn’t make
them facts.