Spotting Facts and Opinions
Distinguish checkable factual claims from opinions that share views or preferences, and explain how evidence can help check a claim in books, adverts and conversations
What a learner can do afterwards
- Sort simple statements into facts and opinions (e.g. 'spiders have eight legs' vs 'spiders are scary')
- Explain how to check a factual claim by counting, observing, measuring, using a record or consulting a trusted source
- Use opinion words to signal their own view (e.g. 'I think', 'my favourite')
1 · Read
A fact is true information. A factual claim says something you can check by counting, looking, measuring or using a trusted source. A check may support the claim or show it is mistaken. Being checkable does not make a claim true. An opinion shares a view or preference, such as which game is most fun. People can share an opinion or have different opinions.
Mia reads 'The Moon orbits Earth' and 'The Moon looks beautiful tonight.' A trusted science book can help her check the first claim. 'Beautiful' shares a view about how the Moon looks. Even if everyone likes the view, that does not turn it into a fact.
Choose a check that fits the claim. Count objects, measure a length, watch what happens, or use a record or trusted book. Measure length from zero on a ruler. An expert can help with facts about their subject. Evidence is information that helps you check a claim. Someone saying a claim is true is not enough.
An advert says, 'This cereal is the best breakfast ever.' 'Best' shares a preference. Even a famous cook would be sharing a preference by saying this. 'This cereal has 12 grams of sugar in one serving' is a claim you can check against the serving information on the box.
One sentence can hold both kinds of statement. 'Our class has 18 children, and it is the friendliest class' has two parts. Count the children to check the first part. 'Friendliest' shares a view without a stated test. Split a long sentence and check each part. A number alone does not make a statement factual.
Use 'I think' or 'my favourite' when sharing your view. These phrases are clues, not rules. 'I think this bag has seven buttons' still contains a claim you can check by counting. Read the whole statement. Words such as 'lovely' or 'boring' often share a judgment.
Check factual claims with evidence. Opinions share views or preferences. Read the whole statement, and check each part of a mixed sentence.
The lesson, questions and learning cards were written for this dataset.
The readings and learning cards were written for this dataset.
More to read
Check the note
Ella finds a note saying there are ten books in a basket. She counts eight. The note made a claim she could check, but the claim was mistaken. Ella changes the note to match her count. Before accepting a claim, ask what would help you check it. You might need a count, a measurement, a record or a trusted book.
Read the whole claim
Ravi says, 'I think the blue bag has four pencils.' Opening the bag and counting can check that claim. Later he says, 'The blue bag is the nicest bag.' Now he is sharing a view. The words 'I think' are a clue to read carefully. They do not decide whether the rest of the statement can be checked.
A reason for a view
Asha prefers reading by the window because she likes the daylight. Her reason helps us understand her choice. It does not prove that everyone should choose the same seat. Tell someone your favourite place to read and explain your reason. If you include a factual claim, think about how you could check it.
2 · Watch
به انگلیسیTake it off screen
Where it sits
Learn first
Nothing; this is a starting point.
Optional connections
This opens up
Where this leads
24 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.