Paper 1 Section A Reading Non-Fiction & Media AO2ii – Fact & Opinion

What are facts? Facts are things that can be proven to be true They can be presented as statements They can be presented as numbers or statistics, sometimes in a chart or diagram

What are opinions? Opinions are somebody’s thoughts, feelings or ideas about an issue Look for language that shows what somebody feels about the issue Remember that opinions can sometimes be presented as if they are facts

Starter Identify whether the following examples are either facts or opinions

Example 1 A study produced in 2006, showed that 1 in 10 teenagers do not talk to their parents about what worries them Fact – based on a survey and gives numerical information

Example 2 It is shocking to think that the Government wants to ban the use of mobile phones in schools Opinion – uses emotive words like ‘shocking’ to show the writer’s feelings

Example 3 Some schools in Oldham have banned mobile phones Fact – this can be proved to be true through research

Example 4 World War 2 ended in 1945 Fact – this is an event that really happened

Example 5 Lots of children today are guilty of anti- social behaviour Opinion – there is no clear evidence for this and it could be argued that ‘lots of children’ are well-behaved

Assessment Objective AO2ii – Distinguish between fact and opinion and evaluate how information is presented Correctly identify examples of facts and opinions Explain how these are used by a writer

Examples of questions How does Fay Weldon use facts and opinions to support her argument? How effectively are facts and opinions used to fulfil each writer’s purpose? How does Jenny McKay use facts to support her opinions?

Ways facts and opinions are used Facts To give evidence to support the writer’s ideas To shock To surprise To illustrate a point To make the reader think about an issue Opinions To make the reader respond To make the reader care To show the writer cares To show the writer’s ideas To balance facts ALWAYS remember to EXPLAIN how they do this

Expert Opinions Sometimes, writer’s will quote the opinions of others – they may be experts or somebody that is involved with the story These opinions will often support what the writer is saying Sometimes, they will contrast with the writer’s views and are used to show a balance or that the expert is wrong

Framework for reading 1. Read the questions 2. Read the text 3. Work out the PAFT and message 4. Highlight examples – check the question 5. Plan your response

PAFT Purpose Audience Form Tone PURPOSE: what job is the writer trying to do? Argue Inform Analyse Imagine Persuade Explain Review Explore Advise Describe Comment Entertain FORM: type of writing Leaflet Article Web page Story Letter Speech Essay Report Advert TONE: what is the mood of the writing? How are we addressed? Enthusiastic Angry Questioning Objective Passionate Frustrated Doubtful Subjective Hopeful Pessimistic Suspicious Neutral Optimistic Sad Sarcastic Cynical HumorousAnnoyed Ironic Knowledgea ble AUDIENCE: the reader Children Experts Teenagers Fans Parents Men Pensioners Women Workers Adults Age Interests Lifestyle Gender Education Class Job Hobbies Politics

Model question How does the writer use facts and opinions to support their views? (6 marks) 6 marks = 12 minutes Identify the writer’s views Identify two good examples of fact and opinion to support these views

Planning your answer Point (Writer’s views) Evidence (Brief quotation) Explain (The effect on reader) Fact 1 Fact 2 Opinion 1 Opinion 2

Assessment Criteria – AO2ii Band 1 (F/G) Little detail / unfocused Band 2 (D/E) General, descriptive answer / spots obvious points Band 3 (B/C) Explains use of examples / range of examples selected Band 4 (A/A*) Detailed evaluation / structured answer