Strategies for Reading Fact and Opinion 6th Grade ELA

the difference between facts and opinions. Today's Objectives We will discuss – the difference between facts and opinions. strategies to distinguish facts from opinions. how to check factual statements. clue words for opinion statements. 6th Grade ELA

Fact and Opinion 6th Grade ELA

What’s wrong with this thinking? Fact and Opinion 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? 6th Grade ELA

Weekly World News YODA VISITS THE WHITE HOUSE Some people believe every word they read. Weekly World News                                                                                                                                                             YODA VISITS THE WHITE HOUSE 6th Grade ELA www.weeklyworldnews.com/features/politics

Not everything in print is true. Fact and Opinion Differentiating between Fact and Opinion Not everything in print is true. Many people misread what is factual because they do not : distinguish between fact and opinion. make inferences. pick up on the author’s bias or tone. or use their own prior knowledge. 6th Grade ELA

A fact is a statement that is true. Facts can be proven. What is a Fact? 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. 6th Grade ELA

How can you check or prove that a statement is a fact? What is a Fact? 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! Here’s something that is often confusing: Statements reporting other people’s opinions are facts: “The dean said our students are very polite and respectful.” “The President announced that the economy is in bad shape. The opinion itself is not a fact, but the statement reporting what someone says or believes is a fact. 6th Grade ELA

Checking Facts Very often – Reading passages that contain statistics or numbers are based on facts because they can be checked. 6th Grade ELA

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 6th Grade ELA

Checking Facts 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? If you answered yes to both questions, you’re correct. Therefore, both statements are based on fact. 6th Grade ELA

Facts can always be proven to be true or false. Remember 6th Grade ELA

An opinion is a statement made by someone who believes it is true. What is an Opinion? 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. 6th Grade ELA

What is an Opinion? a belief an idea a feeling An opinion is actually a point of view. Opinions tell how the writer thinks or feels about something. Opinions express – a belief an idea a feeling An opinion expresses feeling and depends on someone’s judgment or values. An opinion is a statement which someone believes to be true, a point of view. However, the major difference between a fact and an opinion is that an opinion cannot be verified or proven. 6th Grade ELA

Common Clue Words for Opinions What is an Opinion? should if probably might perhaps too Common Clue Words for Opinions feel soon believe think maybe idea Here are some examples of opinions: “We played a great game against Rancho High School.” Statements by the writer that something is necessary, or wanted, or liked are opinions: “Everyone can enjoy our new menu in the cafeteria.” Predictions are opinions: “Students would welcome a change in the attendance policy.” That team will probably win in next year’s Super Bowl. 6th Grade ELA

What is an Opinion? Words that predict the future More Clue Words Words that predict the future Value words - depend on someone’s judgment and cannot be proven: best great pretty worst easy difficult good bad beautiful ugly simple wonderful As a reader, you should also look for value words. These are words that depend on someone’s judgment and cannot be proven objectively, like when you look up something in a book: best great pretty beautiful simple easy good worst difficult bad ugly wonderful 6th Grade ELA

Fact vs. Opinion 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. You can train yourself to tell the difference by asking two simple questions: 1). Can I check it out or prove it? (Now?) 2). Can there be any other point of view? If you can answer yes to the first question and no to the second, then you know you are dealing with a fact. 6th Grade ELA

Let’s look at some examples. Statements that contain words like good, bad, or great, which show personal values, are opinions: “We played a great game against Las Vegas High School.” 6th Grade ELA

Let’s look at some examples. Statements reporting other people’s opinions are facts: “The dean said our students are very polite and respectful.” The opinion itself is not a fact, but the statement reporting what someone says or believes is a fact. 6th Grade ELA

our new menu in the cafeteria.” Opinion Statements by the writer that something is necessary, or wanted, or liked are opinions: “Everyone can enjoy our new menu in the cafeteria.” 6th Grade ELA

Opinion Predictions are opinions: “Students would welcome a change in the attendance policy.” “Everyone would be happy to see that old hotel go.” You can not prove these NOW. 6th Grade ELA

Graduation will be held in June. Fact vs. Opinion There is a difference between predicting the future and talking about something that is already scheduled or planned. Graduation will be held in June. This statement is a fact because we can verify right now that graduation is scheduled for the month of June. 6th Grade ELA

When you read - When you read facts, make it a habit to look at the source of the information. When you read opinions, be sure they’re supported with – facts experience accounts of experts other reliable sources 6th Grade ELA

A good reader is also a good detective. It's important to know- A good reader is also a good detective. 6th Grade ELA

So remember to do a little detective work when figuring out the difference between fact and opinion. 6th Grade ELA

Key Stategies and Terms Today we discussed - Fact vs. Opinion Checking for Facts Opinion Clue Words Examples 6th Grade ELA