THEA Objective 5 Critical Reasoning

2. Fact and Opinion Ex. Which statement expresses an opinion rather than a fact? Fact Opinion Ask yourself: Can this statement be proven? Numbers Dates Statistics Percentages “according to the study…” words like: too, should, beautiful, respect,disgusting,interesting… statements about the future Statements that not everyone would agree with

1. The tarantula spider can live for as long as two years without food. 2. The first President to have been born in a hospital is Jimmy Carter. 3. The best-looking of all American Presidents was John F. Kennedy. 4. Cigarette advertising was banned on TV on January 1, Congress should pass a law making cigarettes illegal. 6. Couples should know each other for at least a year before getting married. 7. For various reasons, some spouses take separate vacations. 8. In point of fact, it is always better for spouses to vacation together. 9. Boxing, an overly violent sport, should finally be outlawed. 10. Boxer James J. ( “ Gentleman Jim ” ) Corbett never had a bloody nose or a black eye during his eighteen-year boxing career.

Choose fact, opinion, or both 1.Carrots contain more beta-carotene and other nutrients than celery, but celery tastes better 2.During sleep, blood pressure and body temperature are lowered, and the heart rate and metabolism slow down 3.People who have trouble sleeping at night should seek counseling on how to deal the stress in their life. 4. In greyhound racing, which amounts to animal abuse, the dogs chase an artificial rabbit as they speed around the racetrack. 5.In the United States, heroin is illegal for any purposes, although it should be available for people with terminal diseases as a treatment for pain.