DISTINGUISHING FACTS FROM OPINIONS
Grasshoppers in soy sauce are delicious.
Toasted stinkbugs taste best in salsa.
Mopane caterpillars are the best treat.How many of these statements do you agree with? Your answer depends on your feelings and beliefs. That's because each of these statements is an opinion, a statement that expresses a judgment or belief that cannot be proven. What do you think about the following statements?
Grasshoppers in soy sauce are a popular snack in Japan.
Toasted stinkbugs flavor a type of salsa in Mexico.
Mopane caterpillars are eaten in some parts of Africa.You can't agree or disagree with these statements because they are facts, statements that can be proven or validated. You can verify facts by observation or by checking in reliable sources such as textbooks, reference books, and periodicals.
Distinguishing between facts and opinions is the cornerstone of critical thinking. It is a crucial skill because it enables you to make judgments about what you read.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
How can you recognize facts and opinions? Follow these guidelines:
For Facts. . .
First, look for statements that can be verified. Don't accept a statement as factual just because it appears in print and "looks" like a fact. Think about the statement. Decide if it can be verified by direct observation or outside sources. If it can't be proven, it's an opinion and not a fact.For Opinions. . .
Remember that opinions are statements that express beliefs. When you read for opinions, look for statements that give evaluations, attitudes, or probabilities. Look for signal words that show opinions. Here are some of the most common ones:
bad believe best feel good greatest important least may might most must probably should should not worst
TRY IT!
Identify five facts from pages 496-497.
Click HERE to check your answers to TRY IT!
To practice what you've just learned, go to Worksheet 6.1
To learn about another reading strategy, go to Reading Strategy 6.2.
Reading Strategy 6.1 | Worksheet 6.1
Reading Strategy 6.2 | Worksheet 6.2
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