RPDP Secondary Literacy

Many readers never question what they read. They tend to accept everything they read as fact. “If it’s in print, it must be true,” they say. What’s wrong with this thinking? RPDP Secondary Literacy Fact and Opinion

RPDP Secondary Literacy

Our learning objective for today: You will learn how to do the following:  Recognize a fact.  Recognize an opinion.  Distinguish between facts and opinions in a reading passage.

Why is this skill important to us? In life, you will have to distinguish between fact and opinion so you can make an informed decision. For example, during an election year, you might hear a commercial where the spokesperson says, “He is the best one for the job. If you don’t choose Mr. Rex for mayor, the city will suffer.” Besides commercials, there are fact and opinion statements written in newspapers. If you saw an ad that said it was your responsibility to save the wildlife preserves, would you feel as if you had to do it?

Use your noodles!! People will try to persuade you in life to do what they want you to, from buying a car, to voting for a certain candidate, or saving an endangered species. It is important to recognize the facts (real evidence) to make an informed decision in daily life.

A fact is a statement that is true. Facts can be proven. Anyone who is checking will find or see the same thing. There can be no other reasonable point of view. RPDP Secondary Literacy

How can you check or prove that a statement is a fact? Look it up in a book. Check records or statistics. Ask eye witnesses. Weigh it or measure it. Fact!

Very often – Reading passages that contain statistics or numbers are based on facts because they can be checked. Checking Facts

Here are two examples: Nevada’s current population is over two million people. Jaime paid $25,000 for his new truck. $25,000 Checking Facts

RPDP Secondary Literacy Can you verify records or statistics to look up the population of a city or a state? Can you check Jaime’s sales receipt to find the amount he paid for the truck? Checking Facts

RPDP Secondary Literacy  An opinion expresses feelings and depends on someone’s judgments or values.  An opinion is a statement made by someone who believes it is true.

An opinion is actually a point of view. Opinions tell how the writer thinks or feels about something. Opinions express – RPDP Secondary Literacy a belief an idea a feeling What is an Opinion?

RPDP Secondary Literacy should if probably might perhaps too What is an Opinion? Common Clue Words for Opinions feel soon believe think maybe idea

 Watch for adjectives (words that describe a noun)  awfuldisgusting  amazingexciting  funmiserable  beautiful favorite  Watch for words that exaggerate:  bestneveralways  worstonly  Watch for words that make generalizations (or group people together:  somemost  alleverybody  Watch for words that give advice:  shouldmust

 That food was disgusting!  Someone may have thought it was delicious!  You make the best pumpkin pie in the town!  John may think his mother makes the best pumpkin pie.  Everybody knows Reading is the best subject.  Trevor loves Math. He may think Math is the best subject.  You should always brush your teeth before you take a shower.  Would you all agree with this?  Of course not!

RPDP Secondary Literacy As a reader, you can train yourself how to tell the difference between fact and opinion by asking two simple questions: Can I check it out or prove it? Now? Can there be any other point of view? If you answered yes to the first question and no to the second, this is a fact. Fact vs. Opinion

Now watch as I model how to decide…Now watch as I model how to decide…  Jill was going to start the 7 th grade next year. Her new school would be exciting and scary. She was scared because there would be new students from another school going to Randy Travis Jr. High. Also, she would have to ride the school bus, which would be a new experience for her. Her best friend would be able to go to the new school, but one other friend was moving away to Utah. There was really no way to predict the changes that would be taking place next year, but she felt in her heart that it would be an exciting, challenging year.  Is the underlined sentence a fact or an opinion?  It is a FACT! You could verify this.

Help me out this time!Help me out this time!  Jill was going to start the 7 th grade next year. Her new school would be exciting and scary. She was scared because there would be new students from another school going to Randy Travis Jr. High. Also, she would have to ride the school bus, which would be a new experience for her. Her best friend would be able to go to the new school, but one other friend was moving away to Utah. There was really no way to predict the changes that would be taking place next year, but she felt in her heart that it would be an exciting, challenging year.  Is the underlined sentence a fact or an opinion?  It is an OPINION! Not everyone would think the school is exciting or scary. This is what she feels. (Notice the adjectives…)

Now, it’s time for me to help you!  Alexander the Great was the greatest military leader in world history. He was born in Pella, Macedonia. The exact date of his birth was probably July 20 or 26, 356 B.C. Shortly before his 33 rd birthday, Alexander the Great died. The cause of his death remains unknown.  Is the underlined sentence a fact or an opinion?  You are correct—it is a fact! How could you verify it?

Your turn!!!  Alexander the Great was the greatest military leader in world history. He was born in Pella, Macedonia. The exact date of his birth was probably July 20 or 26, 356 B.C. Shortly before his 33 rd birthday, Alexander the Great died. The cause of his death remains unknown.  Is the underlined sentence a fact or an opinion?  Yes!! It is an opinion!  What clues did you use to help you decide?

O NE M ORE T IME ! Tomorrow is an important day for the pop group BoysRUs. They release their third single tomorrow. Their last two singles have gone straight into the charts at number 1. This new single, however, is an awful mix of pop and blues music. It's not as good as the previous two hits. It certainly looks to me like BoysRUs should ask for their day jobs at the toyshop back! Is the underlined sentence a fact or an opinion? Yes! It is an opinion.

for understanding What is a fact? What is an opinion? What clues can I use to help me decide? What questions should you ask yourself?

 What is a fact?  Facts are statements that can be proven true when evidence is provided.  What is an opinion?  Opinions express beliefs or feelings that do not have to be supported by facts.

 When she opened one of the old chests in the corner, I thought I was looking at a bunch of old blankets. When Grandmother unfolded them, however, I saw the prettiest quilts I had ever seen. There were quilts with flowers, quilts with stars, and even a quilt with pieces put together to look like old schoolhouses.  Can you find one fact and one opinion?

RPDP Secondary Literacy

So remember to do a little detective work when figuring out the difference between fact and opinion.