English Language Arts
Grade 9
15 min
Distinguish facts from opinions
Distinguish facts from opinions
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define 'fact' and 'opinion' within the context of argumentative writing.
Identify signal words and phrases that indicate a statement is an opinion.
Apply the 'Verifiability Test' to determine if a statement is a fact.
Analyze a short text to separate factual claims from opinion-based statements.
Evaluate the strength of an argument by assessing its use of facts versus opinions.
Construct a basic claim supported by factual evidence.
Ever read a fiery online comment and wondered, 'Is that actually true, or just what they think?' 🤔
In this tutorial, you'll master the critical skill of distinguishing facts from opinions. This is the foundation of all strong argumentative writing, helping you build persuasive argu...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
FactA statement that can be objectively proven true or false through evidence, data, or direct observation.'The Earth revolves around the Sun.' This can be verified with scientific evidence.
OpinionA statement that expresses a person's beliefs, feelings, judgments, or values. It cannot be proven true or false.'Science fiction is the most interesting genre of literature.' This is a personal preference.
Verifiable EvidenceInformation that can be checked for accuracy. This includes statistics, historical records, scientific data, and direct quotes.A claim that a bill passed in Congress can be verified by checking the official congressional record.
BiasA tendency to lean in a certain direction, either in favor of or against a particular thing. In...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Verifiability Test
Ask yourself: 'Can I prove or disprove this statement with evidence?'
If you can find objective, external evidence (like a statistic, a historical document, or a scientific measurement) to confirm or deny the statement, it is a fact. If the statement's truth depends on someone's personal feelings or beliefs, it is an opinion.
The Judgment Word Test
Look for subjective and value-laden words.
Words like 'good,' 'bad,' 'amazing,' 'awful,' 'should,' 'ought to,' 'believe,' 'think,' and other descriptors that express personal taste or judgment are strong indicators of an opinion. Factual statements use neutral, objective language.
The Absolutes Test
Watc...
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Challenging
Which of the following revisions best transforms the opinion 'The school's dress code is unfair' into a strong, fact-based claim for an argumentative essay?
A.Many students feel that the school's dress code is terribly unfair and restrictive.
B.The school's dress code, which prohibits leggings and ripped jeans, disproportionately targets female students, citing them for violations at three times the rate of male students.
C.The school's dress code should be abolished immediately because it is an outdated policy.
D.I believe the school's dress code is unfair and everyone would be better off without it.
Challenging
An editorial includes this paragraph: 'Last year, the city spent $1.2 million on road repairs. Despite this investment, the roads remain in deplorable condition. Dr. Anya Sharma, a civil engineer with 20 years of experience, has stated that the materials used were likely substandard for our climate. Clearly, the city must re-evaluate its entire road maintenance protocol.' Which sentence is the best example of an informed opinion?
A.Last year, the city spent $1.2 million on road repairs.
B.Despite this investment, the roads remain in deplorable condition.
C.Dr. Anya Sharma...has stated that the materials used were likely substandard for our climate.
D.Clearly, the city must re-evaluate its entire road maintenance protocol.
Challenging
An advertisement claims: 'Based on a survey of dentists who recommend SparkleBrite toothpaste, 9 out of 10 agree it is the best for whitening.' Why is this claim potentially misleading and more of an opinion than a fact?
A.Because the number '9 out of 10' is a verifiable statistic and therefore a fact.
B.Because the survey is limited to dentists who already recommend the product, creating a biased sample.
C.Because 'best' is always a subjective term, so the claim is just a simple opinion.
D.Because advertisements are not allowed to use facts in their claims.
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