Fact and Opinion

Facts
 A statement of fact can be correct or
incorrect. You can check it by doing
research.

Mercury is the
Monkeys
planet are
closest
mammals.
to the sun.
 Opinions
 A statement of opinion cannot be proved
true or false. It is a belief or judgment. It
often contains a word of judgment, such
as best, should, or beautiful. It may begin
with the words In my opinion or I believe.

Bananas
She is the
are
the
coolest
best fruit
girl in
on
a summer
school!day.
 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
author’s
The size of a
opinion that the blue whale
whale is can be
beautiful. proven.

The beautiful whale can grow

as big as 100 feet long!
 A photo essay like Adelina’s Whales is
the best genre for fourth graders to read.

While it Is
canthisbe
statement
proven athat
factAdelina’s
or an opinion?
Whales is
a photo essay, this statement contains an
opinion. Notice “best” is a judgment word.
 La Laguna is the most amazing place for
Adelina to grow up.

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.
Adelina has lived in La Laguna her whole
life.

ThisIscan be proven.
this statement a factAorperson could
an opinion?
research this statement.
 Adelina and her family believe their
hometown is a special place.
It involves a belief or judgment. Notice
Is this statement a fact or an opinion?
that “believe” is one of words that signals
an opinion. However, there are facts in
the story that make this opinion valid.
 Mother whales are proud parents. They
lift their babies up to show them off.

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

ThisIscan be proven.
this statement a factAorperson could
an opinion?
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.