Fact and Opinion Including Inference

Murdock/White

Is What I am Reading a FACT?

• Ask yourself these questions.

1. Is it true?

2. Can it be proven?

If you can answer yes, then it is a FACT!

Examples/Sources to Prove Facts

• George Bush was president in 2007.By using : History Book, Encyclopedia or Reliable Internet Site

• The adult human body has 206 bones.By using : Science Book or Reliable Internet Site

• 56% of US gun deaths are suicides.By using : Statistics or an Almanac

• 16 is the legal driving age in MississippiBy using : Governmental Law

Observations are Facts!

• Because they can be proven by the senses!

For EXAMPLE: Some books are larger than others.

Observe books of various sizes.The bracelet is pink.

Observe the color of the bracelet.

Is What I am Reading an OPINION?

• Ask yourself these questions.

1. Does this statement tell a thought or feeling?

2. Would the statement be true all the time?

OPINION Signal Words

• Think• Perhaps• Believe• Suggest• Probably• Usually

• Beautiful• Best• Worst• Bad• Good• Most

OPINION• Agreeing with a statement

doesn’t make it true!For example:

Dairy Queen ice cream tastes better than ice cream you buy from the grocery store.

Why is this statement an

OPINION?

CAUTIO

N

OPINION Again!

• Though you may be able to use facts to add credibility to an opinion, it is still an opinion!

• Though an opinion may be widely accepted, that does not make it a fact!

Practice, Practice, Practice!

• George W. Bush was an _______________President.

• It is ________ that the US suicide rate will decrease in this next year.

• It is _______ for the legal driving age to be 16.

likely

unfair

excellent

You can see Fact and Opinion in all types of media…

BillboardsTelevision AdsMagazine Ads

Newspaper AdsRadio Commercials

Look for Fact and Opinion in the following examples!

Billboards

Newspaper or Magazine Ads

TV or Radio Commercials

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INFERENCE•To deduce from evidence or conclude

• EXAMPLE:Leonardo left copious (plentiful) notes.

From these we can state that he used the scientific method in understanding the world.