Fact and Opinion Fourth Grade Unit 2 Week 4 By Kristi Waltke

Facts A statement of fact can be proved true or false by looking in a reference book, asking an expert, or using your own knowledge and experience. Monkeys are mammals. Mercury is the planet closest to the sun.

Opinions A statement of opinion cannot be proved true or false. It is a belief or judgment. It often contains a word of judgment, such as best, should, or beautiful. It may begin with the words In my opinion or I believe. She is the coolest girl in school! Bananas are the best fruit on a summer day.

It seemed for a moment as if the horses were keeping time to the music. Is this statement from the story a fact or an opinion? It cannot be proven true or false. It uses seemed which is a judgment word.

Waking lumberjacks is a more difficult job than keeping up with a payroll. Is this statement a fact or an opinion? It cannot be proven true or false. It involves a belief or judgment. It may be true in Marvins case, but that is not what it takes to make it a fact.

Marvin of the Great North Woods is a biography. Is this statement a fact or an opinion? This can be proven. A person could use knowledge of what a biography is to prove that this story is a biography.

Here in the great north woods all was still and white. Is this statement a fact or an opinion? This can be proven. A person could be in the great north woods and check to see if it were still and white.

The great north woods was the best place for Marvin. Is this statement a fact or an opinion? It cannot be proven true or false. It involves a belief or judgment. Notice that best is one of words that signals an opinion.

As you read, try to distinguish facts from opinions. Remember how to figure out if a statement is a fact or an opinion.