UNIT 11 DISTINGUISHING FACTS FROM OPINIONS Objectives : 1. To distinguish facts from opinions 2. To identify the degrees of certainty

1. To distinguish facts from opinions I. Fact Fact is something that has really occurred; known to be true or existing, different from a suggestion or assumption. Facts can be verified according to the reality and the concrete basis of experience. Examples: Students who plan to graduate in August must apply on or before June 30. The two types of fertilizers have been used by the farmers in this area.

The impacts of illegal timbering make the people angry. Many users of personal computers make copies of software diskettes for friends II. Opinion   Opinion is defined as a judgment, conviction, or belief, based on positive knowledge. Opinions can not be proved and are written in statements of opinion which make judgments evaluations, or interpretations.

Words and Expressions indicating opinions: Perhaps, … Apparently, … According to … Presumably, … In my opinion, … In our view, … One possibility is … This concept suggests … One interpretation is … They think/believe/argue/say …

Examples of opinions: 1. It seems that everything goes wrong. 2. This problem, in my opinion, is nothing to do with this institution. 3. Experts suggest that happiness can result in good health. 4. People believe that money sometimes means nothing.

Sample passage One of the most shocking failures of American history was the bankruptcy of the Penn Central in 1970, only 2 years after a merger was completed between two of the country’s largest Eastern railroads, the New York Central and the Pennsylvania Railroad. During the short period of 2 years its stock dropped from a high of $86.50 per share to $5.50 and to $1.00 per share shortly after, and many thousands of investors in bonds as well as stock lost most of their investment. And this was in a company once regarded as one of the largest and most promising in the United States. (Management by Harold Koontz et al)

Main Idea: The bankruptcy of the Penn Central Transportation Company Topic Sentence: The first sentence of the passage contains: One opinion: ‘most shocking’ Two facts: The bankruptcy occurred in 1970 The merger was between two of the country’s largest railroads. However, the whole sentence is considered an opinion.

The price of the stock dropped sharply Supporting details The price of the stock dropped sharply (A fact verified figures)‏ Many thousands of investors in bonds and stocks lost most of their investment. (A fact, it can be verified by research)‏ This company was once regarded as one of the largest and most promising in the United States. (An opinion ‘most promising’ by whom cannot be proved)‏

Below are some more examples of the ways in which people express their opinions explicitly. ‘It’s shocking that ……………….’ ‘It’s wonderful that……………….’ ‘I am horrified that ………………..’ ‘I was delighted by ……………….’ ‘What an exaggerated claim!’ ‘Such an interesting idea’ ‘The film was superb.’ ‘These ideas are disgusting.’

Some adverbs show degrees of certainty: Absolutely certainly definitely undoubtedly Probably Likely perhaps possibly Maybe unlikely

Some modals (will, can, may, etc) + V-1, help to tell the reader degrees of certainty : Will: most likely to happen e.g. The final test will be held next week. (It is most likely to be held next week; it is scheduled to be held next week.) Can: very probable to happen e.g. The final test can be held next week. (It is very probable to be held next week.)‏ May: possible to happen e.g. The final test may be held next week. (It is possible to be held next week.) Might: possible to happen, but the possibility is very small. Example: The final test might be held next week. (It is possible to be held next week, but the possibility is very small.)‏ Must: conclusion e.g. He must be in the library. (I conclude that he is in the library.)‏ Note: When the word ‘must’ conveys a regulation or an obligation, not a conclusion, it states a fact, e.g. “Soldiers must wear uniforms”.

Sometimes modal constructions help to tell the reader that the conditions being described do not presently exist (not a fact), for example : Could: Indeed, he could be the best president that we have ever had (He is not our best president.)‏ Should: We should have helped the poor . (We didn’t help the poor.)‏ Would: I would build big hospitals for the poor if I were rich. (I will not build big hospitals for the poor because I am not rich.)‏