1. Fact and Opinion

2. Mercury is the planet closest to the sun.
Facts
 A statement of fact can be correct or     incorrect. You can check it by doing     research.
Mercury is the planet closest to the sun.
Monkeys are mammals.

3. Opinions Bananas are the best fruit on a summer day.
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.
Bananas are the best fruit on a summer day.
She is the coolest girl in school!

4. Opinions
A statement of opinion should be supported. A valid opinion is supported by facts or good logic. A faulty opinion is not.

5. Fact and Opinion The beautiful whale can grow as big as 100 feet long!
Some sentences contain both statements of fact and statements of opinion.
It is the author’s opinion that the whale is beautiful.
The size of a blue whale can be proven.
The beautiful whale can grow as big as 100 feet long!

6. Is this statement a fact or an opinion?
A photo essay like Adelina’s Whales is the best genre for fifth graders to read.
While it can be proven that Adelina’s Whales is a photo essay, this statement contains an opinion. Notice “best” is a judgment word.
Is this statement a fact or an opinion?
Fact
Opinion

7. La Laguna is the most amazing place for Adelina to grow up.
It cannot be proven true or false. It involves a belief or judgment, feelings. It might be a valid opinion, but it is not a fact.
Is this statement a fact or an opinion?
Opinion
Fact

8. Adelina has lived in La Laguna her whole life.
This can be proven. A person could research this statement.
Is this statement a fact or an opinion?
Fact
Opinion

9. Adelina and her family believe their hometown is a special place.
It involves a belief or judgment. Notice that “believe” is one of words that signals an opinion. However, there are facts in the story that make this opinion valid.
Is this statement a fact or an opinion?
Fact
Opinion

10. Is this statement a fact or an opinion?
Mother whales are proud parents. They lift their babies up to show them off.
Is this statement a fact or an opinion?
It involves a belief or judgment. It cannot be proven whether whales are proud parents or not.
Fact
Opinion

11. Whales brains are as large as a car’s engine.
This can be proven. A person could research this statement.
Is this statement a fact or an opinion?
Fact
Opinion

12. As you read, try to distinguish facts from opinions.
Remember how to figure out if a statement is a fact or an opinion.
Remember that opinions can be valid, but that doesn’t make them facts.