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Interactive Skills
for Students
How to Distinguish
Fact From Opinion
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2. How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Why Learn This Skill?
 To understand the meaning of what others say and write, it is important to be able to distinguish facts from opinions.
 Developing this skill will help you analyze the accuracy of political claims, advertisements, and many other types of statements.

3. How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Learn It!
What is the difference between a fact and an opinion?
Fact
can be checked for accuracy and proven
answers specific questions such as: What happened? Who did it? When and where did it happen?
Opinion
based on values and beliefs
may begin with phrases such as I believe or In my opinion
may include words such as should or ought, or judgment words such as best, worst, or greatest

4. How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Learn It!
When distinguishing between fact and opinion, you will need to ask:
 Does this statement provide specific information about an event?
 Can I check the accuracy of this statement?
 Does this statement express someone’s feelings, beliefs, or judgment?
 Does the statement include phrases such as “I believe,” superlatives, or judgment words?

5. Apply It! How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Which of these documents is fact-based? Which is an opinion?
Disaster and Recovery in Japan
Friday, March 11 was cold and cloudy in northern Japan. Winter still had the region in its grip. Just after 2:45 in the afternoon, a massive 9.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Honshu, Japan’s largest island.
Additionally, the earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that crashed ashore along the coast of Honshu. The depth of the tsunami varied from place to place. In some areas, the wave reached above 100 feet (30.48m). In other areas the wave was feet (9-12m) high.
Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
My wonderful grandparents live in Japan. They own a fishing business in Miyagi Prefecture. Their town was totally devastated by the awesome tsunami that struck the area on March 11.
When I talked to my grandparents on the phone, I was surprised to learn that they did not hear the tsunami warnings go off. Luckily for them, they knew to get away from the coastline when an earthquake takes place.
I feel that Japan should invest money in creating a different tsunami alert system. I believe that the sirens did not work and are not a good enough warning. Young people don’t know enough about the dangers of tsunamis.

6. Disaster and Recovery in Japan
How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Apply It!
To distinguish between fact and opinion, first analyze each.
Disaster and Recovery in Japan
Friday, March 11 was cold and cloudy in northern Japan. Winter still had the region in its grip. Just after 2:45 in the afternoon, a massive 9.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Honshu, Japan’s largest island.
Additionally, the earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that crashed ashore along the coast of Honshu. The depth of the tsunami varied from place to place. In some areas, the wave reached above 100 feet (30.48m). In other areas the wave was feet (9-12m) high.

7. Disaster and Recovery in Japan
How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Apply It!
To distinguish between fact and opinion, first analyze each.
Disaster and Recovery in Japan
Friday, March 11 was cold and cloudy in northern Japan. Winter still had the region in its grip. Just after 2:45 in the afternoon, a massive 9.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Honshu, Japan’s largest island.
Additionally, the earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that crashed ashore along the coast of Honshu. The depth of the tsunami varied from place to place. In some areas, the wave reached above 100 feet (30.48m). In other areas the wave was feet (9-12m) high.
includes facts that
can be checked
for accuracy

8. Disaster and Recovery in Japan
How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Apply It!
To distinguish between fact and opinion, first analyze each.
Disaster and Recovery in Japan
Friday, March 11 was cold and cloudy in northern Japan. Winter still had the region in its grip. Just after 2:45 in the afternoon, a massive 9.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Honshu, Japan’s largest island.
Additionally, the earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that crashed ashore along the coast of Honshu. The depth of the tsunami varied from place to place. In some areas, the wave reached above 100 feet (30.48m). In other areas the wave was feet (9-12m) high.

9. How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Apply It!
To distinguish between fact and opinion, first analyze each.
Disaster and Recovery in Japan
Friday, March 11 was cold and cloudy in northern Japan. Winter still had the region in its grip. Just after 2:45 in the afternoon, a massive 9.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Honshu, Japan’s largest island.
Additionally, the earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that crashed ashore along the coast of Honshu. The depth of the tsunami varied from place to place. In some areas, the wave reached above 100 feet (30.48m). In other areas the wave was feet (9-12m) high.
explains events that took place, which can be checked for accuracy

10. Apply It! author is describing personal experience
How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Apply It!
To distinguish between fact and opinion, first analyze each.
Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
My wonderful grandparents live in Japan. They own a fishing business in Miyagi Prefecture. Their town was totally devastated by the awesome tsunami that struck the area on March 11.
When I talked to my grandparents on the phone, I was surprised to learn that they did not hear the tsunami warnings go off. Luckily for them, they knew to get away from the coastline when an earthquake takes place.
I feel that Japan should invest money in creating a different tsunami alert system. I believe that the sirens did not work and are not a good enough warning. Young people don’t know enough about the dangers of tsunamis.
author is describing personal experience

11. Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Apply It!
To distinguish between fact and opinion, first analyze each.
Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
My wonderful grandparents live in Japan. They own a fishing business in Miyagi Prefecture. Their town was totally devastated by the awesome tsunami that struck the area on March 11.
When I talked to my grandparents on the phone, I was surprised to learn that they did not hear the tsunami warnings go off. Luckily for them, they knew to get away from the coastline when an earthquake takes place.
I feel that Japan should invest money in creating a different tsunami alert system. I believe that the sirens did not work and are not a good enough warning. Young people don’t know enough about the dangers of tsunamis.
author uses
judgment words

12. Apply It! author expresses opinions on issues
How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Apply It!
To distinguish between fact and opinion, first analyze each.
Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
My wonderful grandparents live in Japan. They own a fishing business in Miyagi Prefecture. Their town was totally devastated by the awesome tsunami that struck the area on March 11.
When I talked to my grandparents on the phone, I was surprised to learn that they did not hear the tsunami warnings go off. Luckily for them, they knew to get away from the coastline when an earthquake takes place.
I feel that Japan should invest money in creating a different tsunami alert system. I believe that the sirens did not work and are not a good enough warning. Young people don’t know enough about the dangers of tsunamis.
author expresses opinions on issues

13. Disaster and Recovery in Japan Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Apply It!
In analyzing the documents, we have been distinguishing between fact and opinion. The next step is to summarize what we found.
Disaster and Recovery in Japan
Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
Gave date and time of earthquake

14. Disaster and Recovery in Japan Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Apply It!
In analyzing the documents, we have been distinguishing between fact and opinion. The next step is to summarize what we found.
Disaster and Recovery in Japan
Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
Gave date and time of earthquake
Gave location of earthquake and tsunami

15. Disaster and Recovery in Japan Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Apply It!
In analyzing the documents, we have been distinguishing between fact and opinion. The next step is to summarize what we found.
Disaster and Recovery in Japan
Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
Gave date and time of earthquake
Gave location of earthquake and tsunami
Gave details on size of earthquake

16. Disaster and Recovery in Japan Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Apply It!
In analyzing the documents, we have been distinguishing between fact and opinion. The next step is to summarize what we found.
Disaster and Recovery in Japan
Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
Gave date and time of earthquake
Gave location of earthquake and tsunami
Gave details on size of earthquake
Gave details about wave depths

17. Disaster and Recovery in Japan Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Apply It!
In analyzing the documents, we have been distinguishing between fact and opinion. The next step is to summarize what we found.
Disaster and Recovery in Japan
Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
Gave date and time of earthquake
Written in first person
Gave location of earthquake and tsunami
Gave details on size of earthquake
Gave details about wave depths

18. Disaster and Recovery in Japan Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Apply It!
In analyzing the documents, we have been distinguishing between fact and opinion. The next step is to summarize what we found.
Disaster and Recovery in Japan
Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
Gave date and time of earthquake
Written in first person
Gave location of earthquake and tsunami
Judgment words such as: wonderful, was surprised, not good enough
Gave details on size of earthquake
Gave details about wave depths

19. Disaster and Recovery in Japan Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Apply It!
In analyzing the documents, we have been distinguishing between fact and opinion. The next step is to summarize what we found.
Disaster and Recovery in Japan
Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
Gave date and time of earthquake
Written in first person
Gave location of earthquake and tsunami
Judgment words such as: wonderful, was surprised, not good enough
Gave details on size of earthquake
Opinion phrases such as:
I feel, I believe
Gave details about wave depths

20. An Opinion Based On Facts
How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Apply It!
Now, we are ready to answer the question: Which of these documents is fact-based? Which is an opinion?
Disaster and Recovery in Japan
Friday, March 11 was cold and cloudy in northern Japan. Winter still had the region in its grip. Just after 2:45 in the afternoon, a massive 9.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Honshu, Japan’s largest island.
Additionally, the earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that crashed ashore along the coast of Honshu. The depth of the tsunami varied from place to place. In some areas, the wave reached above 100 feet (30.48m). In other areas the wave was feet (9-12m) high.
Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late
My wonderful grandparents live in Japan. They own a fishing business in Miyagi Prefecture. Their town was totally devastated by the awesome tsunami that struck the area on March 11.
When I talked to my grandparents on the phone, I was surprised to learn that they did not hear the tsunami warnings go off. Luckily for them, they knew to get away from the coastline when an earthquake takes place.
I feel that Japan should invest money in creating a different tsunami alert system. I believe that the sirens did not work and are not a good enough warning. Young people don’t know enough about the dangers of tsunamis.
An Opinion
Based On Facts

21. Fact or Opinion? Apply It!
How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
How To Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Apply It!
The final step in distinguishing between fact and opinion is to draw conclusions from what you discovered.
Fact or Opinion?
The document titled “Disaster and Recovery in Japan” is based on facts. It gives details about the date, time, location, and intensity of the earthquake. It also describes the height of the tsunami.
The document titled “Tsunami Warnings Came Too Late” describes the author’s opinion about the tsunami warning sirens. The author uses words and phrases that show he or she is making a judgment about the events described. In the last paragraph, the author uses the phrases “I feel” and “I believe.” This shows that the author is telling the reader what he or she thinks about the issue.

22. How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion
Remember
 Learning how to distinguish between fact and opinion will help you understand the meaning of what others say or write.
 As you develop this skill, you will be better able to analyze news articles, primary sources, political advertisements, as well as many other types of sources.