1. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers The Master Reader Updated Edition by D. J. Henry Fact and Opinion Chapter 9

2. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Facts and Opinions A fact is a specific detail that can be proven as true based on objective evidence. An opinion is a feeling, judgment, belief, or conclusion that cannot be proven true by objective evidence. Objective evidence can be one or more of the following: physical proof, an eyewitness account, and spoken or written testimony.

3. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Facts and Opinions Fact –Objective –States reality –Can be verified –Presented with unbiased words Opinion –Subjective –Interprets reality –Can NOT be verified –Presented with biased words

4. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Fact or Opinion? __A spinning class is a group exercise program of about 45 minutes riding on a stationary bike. __A spinning class is a form of torture.

5. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Fact or Opinion? F A spinning class is a group exercise program of about 45 minutes riding on a stationary bike. (Can be verified by going to a class.) O A spinning class is a form of torture. (Some people may enjoy the class.)

6. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Separating Fact from Opinion Hint 1: Know the traits of facts and opinions. Fact: Spinach is a source of iron. Opinion: Spinach tastes awful.

7. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Separating Fact from Opinion Hint 2: Look for biased words. They express opinions, judgments and interpretations and are often loaded with emotion. Note: A sentence can include both facts and opinions.

8. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Biased Words to Identify Opinions Always Better Best Bad Beautiful Believe Bumbling Crazy Disgusting Exciting Favorite Fun Forthright Frightful Good Great Greatest Ghoulish Horrible Miserable Never Ought to Pretty Probably Should be Smart Stupid Think Worst

9. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Example: “The great grasslands of the West should not have been plowed under for crops.” Explanation: The grasslands were plowed under, but whether or not they “should not have been” is a matter of opinion.

10. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Separating Fact from Opinion Hint 3: Be on the lookout for words that qualify an idea. Note: Some words that qualify ideas are all, it is believed, might, should, usually. See your text for additional qualifying words.

11. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Separating Fact from Opinion Hint 4: Beware of false facts, or statements presented as facts that are actually untrue. Note: False facts are often found in science and math.

12. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Example: “The earliest humans lived at the same time as dinosaurs.” Explanation: Fossil records and scientific research have proved this to be a false fact.

13. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Informed and Expert Opinions An informed opinion is developed by gathering and analyzing evidence. An expert opinion is developed through much training and extensive knowledge in a special field.

14. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Examples: Informed opinion: –Shopping around for a car –Research essay for a college class Expert opinion: –Doctor’s diagnosis of an illness –Economics professor’s lecture on the economy

15. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Complete the Chapter Review, Application Exercises, Review Tests, and Mastery Tests for Chapter 9. Practice Remember to complete your scorecard for the Review Tests in this chapter. Visit www.ablongman.com/henry for more practice.www.ablongman.com/henry