What you will be able to do
identify a factual claim that can be checked; identify an opinion and its signal words; explain how people’s points of view can differ
Facts, Opinions, and Points of View
How can we tell facts from opinions and understand different points of view?
Activate what you know
Listen to these two statements: ‘The pencil is yellow’ and ‘The pencil is beautiful.’ Tell which one you could check by looking at the pencil
- facta statement shown to be true by reliable evidence
- opiniona belief, feeling, or judgment
- point of viewthe way a person sees or understands something
- evidenceinformation used to check a fact or support an idea
- reliabledependable and likely to provide accurate information
- signal worda word such as best, beautiful, or should that may show a judgment
1
Ask Whether the Statement Can Be Checked
A factual claim is a statement we can check using reliable evidence. ‘The library opens at nine o’clock’ can be checked on the official schedule. Checking may show that a claim is true or false. When reliable evidence shows that the claim is true, we can call it a fact. An opinion expresses a belief, preference, or judgment. Words such as favorite, best, nicest, boring, and should often signal an opinion. ‘The blue mural is the nicest mural’ is an opinion because people can judge it differently. An opinion is not a lie; it tells what someone thinks and can include reasons
2
A Point of View Helps Explain Why People Think Differently
Point of view is how a person sees or understands a situation. Two people may notice different parts of the same event. A cyclist may focus on a safe bike lane, while a bus rider may focus on a sheltered bus stop. Listening to both can reveal needs that one point of view alone might miss. Different points of view do not mean every claim is equally supported. We still check factual statements with evidence. We also avoid guessing what someone thinks based only on appearance or group membership. We learn a person’s point of view from what that person communicates and from the context of the source
Fact-Opinion Test
For a factual claim, ask ‘How could I check it?’ When reliable evidence shows it is true, it is a fact. For an opinion, ask what reasons explain the judgment
Separate the Layers
Underline the checkable part once and circle judgment words. Then ask whose point of view the statement expresses and what reason is given
Opinion Does Not Mean False
An opinion is a judgment, not automatically a mistake. A factual claim can be wrong, which is why checking matters; a fact is supported as true by reliable evidence
Park Proposal
Read two fictional comments about adding shade trees to a park. Mark one fact, one opinion, and the point of view in each. Then name a reliable source that could check the fact
Factual claims can be checked, facts are supported as true by reliable evidence, opinions are beliefs or judgments, and points of view show how people understand a situation. Respectful listening helps us understand perspectives
Practice and answer guide
Work through all 8 questions. Open an answer only after you have written or explained your response.
- 1. Which statement is a factual claim that can be checked? A. The school has two front doors. B. The school has the prettiest doors. C. Every door should be blue
Check answer
The checkable factual claim is: The school has two front doors
- 2. Which word signals an opinion in ‘This is the best playground’? A. best B. this C. playground
Check answer
Best
- 3. Write or tell how you could check the statement ‘The library closes at six.’
Check answer
Check the library’s official schedule or ask a library staff member and confirm the current day
- 4. Draw two people looking at the same rainy playground. Give each a different speech bubble that shows a point of view
Check answer
Answers will vary. The two speech bubbles should show different understandable views of the same situation, such as liking puddles and wanting to stay dry
- 5. Is an opinion always false? Explain
Check answer
No. An opinion is a person’s belief or judgment. It can be supported with reasons, but people may judge it differently
- 6. A walker says, ‘This crossing needs a longer signal because I cannot cross before it changes.’ What point of view and reason are expressed?
Check answer
The speaker gives a walker’s point of view and says the crossing time is not long enough for that person to cross safely
- 7. Which source is most reliable for checking today’s library hours? A. the library’s official schedule B. a friend’s guess C. an old storybook
Check answer
The library’s official schedule
- 8. Sort the two sentences: ‘The mural is 10 feet wide.’ ‘The mural is wonderful.’ Then name evidence that could check the factual claim
Check answer
Factual claim: The mural is 10 feet wide. Opinion: The mural is wonderful. Evidence: a careful measurement or an official description of the mural