What is a fact? What is an opinion?
   
A fact is an actual thing done. It is something that has actual existence. At the very least it is a piece of information that is presented as provable.

 

Facts are true, provable, observable, measurable, recorded, confirmed, indisputable.
An opinion is an expression of someone's view, value system, or appraisal about a particular issue.
 
 

 

Opinions are disputable.

 

Clues or signal words: Clues or signal words:
Numbers
Statistics
Documents
Eye-witnesses
Video footage
Photograph
Recording
 
 
 
"good"/"bad"
"could/could not"
"believe"
"should/should not"
"will"
Predictions
Interpretations
Guesses
 
 
Example Example
"Two of my neighbors reported to the police that a bear knocked down three garbage cans in our neighborhood." "My neighbor said that bears are a menace and should be relocated to a wildlife area."
   
Assignment #1  
 Identify the clues that suggest that the above statement is factual. Identify the clues that suggest that the above statement is an opinion.
Assignment #2  
Write a factual statement of your own using one the above clues. Write an opinion statement of your own using one of the above clues.
Assignment #3  
Find 1 fact from a primary and secondary source. Find 1 opinion from a primary and secondary source.