Distinguish fact from opinion

Today we will learn how to distinguish fact from opinion. Reading and writing help us share our ideas with others.

Distinguishing facts from opinions is essential for critical reading. A fact is a statement that can be verified as true or false through observation or evidence: "The Amazon River is the largest river by discharge in the world." An opinion is a personal judgment or belief that cannot be objectively proven: "The Amazon is the most beautiful river." Signal words for opinions: I think, I believe, should, best, worst, most, least, better, worse. Be alert to opinions stated as facts—this is common in persuasive writing and propaganda. When comparing two texts on the same topic, identify what each author claims as fact, notice where they agree and disagree, and ask: Does each claim have evidence? What might explain the differences?

Let's break this down step by step so it's easy to understand. Follow along with the examples, and don't worry if it takes some practice to get the hang of it!

Remember: Making mistakes is part of learning. If something is tricky, try again, look at the examples, or ask for help.