Fact vs opinion
Distinguish checkable factual claims from opinions in texts, explain how claims could be verified, and recognise how authors combine information with judgments
What a learner can do afterwards
- Identify factual claims and opinions in a newspaper article
- Explain how a factual claim could be checked using reliable evidence, or why a statement expresses a judgment or preference
- Recognise persuasive techniques that present opinions as if they were facts
1 · Read
A factual claim says something you can check using evidence, such as a record or measurement. Checking may show that it is true or false. A fact is something established as true. An opinion expresses a judgment, preference or recommendation. Numbers alone do not decide the type: 'Five is the best number' expresses a judgment.
A practice report says: 'The town hall opened in 1932. It is the most beautiful building in the county.' Town records could check the opening year. 'Most beautiful' expresses a judgment about beauty. Split mixed sentences or paragraphs into parts and consider each claim separately.
You have read about an author's purpose and viewpoint. Words such as 'should', 'best' and 'everyone knows' can draw attention to a view. Read the whole claim before deciding its type. 'Should start later' recommends a change. 'Everyone knows' can make a judgment sound settled, but confidence does not supply evidence.
A practice article says: 'Ticket sales doubled, so this festival is obviously the greatest.' Sales records could check the doubling claim. They do not prove 'greatest'. A vote count also cannot establish a drink's sugar content. Ask whether the evidence supports this particular claim.
An expert can report factual claims and express opinions. Their job title does not decide the type. 'Tallest of these three towers' can be checked by measuring. 'Most beautiful tower' expresses a judgment. Ask what is being compared and how it could be checked. Compare factual claims with reliable records or measurements before accepting them as true.
Separate checkable claims from judgments. Check reliable evidence before accepting a claim as true, and match evidence to the claim it supports.
Original lesson, practice questions and flashcards written for this learning dataset.
These four readings about claims, judgments and evidence were written for this learning dataset.
More to read
Checkable does not mean checked
Imagine a newsletter says, 'The art club met on Tuesday.' A calendar or attendance sheet could check that claim. Printing the sentence does not establish that Tuesday is correct. The records might show another day.
Now read: 'Tuesday's meeting was the most enjoyable one.' This judges the meeting. Someone who enjoys drawing may prefer a different meeting from someone who enjoys painting.
Ask two separate questions. What kind of statement is this? What evidence supports it? A factual claim can be checked, but the check may show that it is inaccurate. A judgment needs to be recognised as a view rather than accepted as a measured result.
Consider each part
Read this practice sentence: 'The aquarium opened in 2011, and it is the most wonderful place in the city.' The opening year is a claim about an event. Records could check it. 'Most wonderful' judges the aquarium.
One sentence can contain both kinds of statement. Split it into parts rather than giving the whole sentence one label.
Numbers do not settle the question. 'Seven is the best number' contains a number and still expresses a judgment. Opening words do not settle it either. 'I think the doors open at noon' includes uncertainty about a time that a schedule could check. Read the claim's meaning before deciding its type.
What is being compared?
A gardener says, 'This plant is the tallest of the six plants on the table.' Measure the six plants using the same method to check that claim.
The gardener also says, 'This plant is the prettiest.' That judges appearance. The gardener may explain the view, but their job title does not turn beauty into a measured result.
Experts can share measurements and express preferences. Their experience can help readers evaluate what they say. It does not make every sentence the same kind of statement. Ask what the claim compares, which things it concerns, and whether it gives a clear basis for a check.
Does this evidence answer that question?
In a practice vote, 18 pupils choose a blue notebook and 12 choose a green one. If the voting record confirms the numbers, it supports the claim that more pupils in that vote chose blue.
It does not show that blue notebooks contain more pages. Check the notebooks or their product information to investigate page counts. It also does not prove that blue is the nicest colour. That expresses a judgment.
Writers sometimes place a supported claim beside a different claim. Follow the connection. What was counted? Which pupils or objects does the result concern? Does it support this conclusion? Evidence about preferences does not automatically answer a question about page counts.
2 · Watch
En anglaisTake it off screen
Where it sits
This opens up
Where this leads
18 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.