Recognizing Facts and Opinions

       There are many ways to enhance our reading comprehension skills, one of which is by learning how to properly recognize a fact from an opinion. During last week’s discussion we were taught that facts are statements that can be proven by reliable authority whilst opinions are just judgments of a person based on his or her beliefs that can change through time.

     

       Through the discussion it was mentioned that history books, measurements, statistics, proven scientific law and observations are some examples of possible reliable resources of facts. It was then further discussed that an opinion is often considered valid if it can be supported by facts, it could be faulty if it turns out to be irrelevant to the topic discussed, and an informed one if it has basis or grounds. There are five types of opinion given. One is the hypothesis statement which is an assumption made in an attempt to explain an observation. Second is the theory statement that is defined as opinions that are widely believed and explained for a group of observations. Third is the assumptive statement which is an opinion that has improvable prediction. Fourth is the value statement that is defined as any claim based on someone’s beliefs. The last type opinion is the exaggeration statement which is one that embellishes the facts, often to sway the readers.

      

       We might think that it is still a bit hard to distinguish a fact from an opinion; well we just have to remember this one tip. There are certain words to look for in order to determine if a statement is an opinion. Some of these words are maybe, perhaps, best, worst, experts agree, successful, necessary, apparently, and probably.

     

       After having to know all of this information, I think that it will be easier for me now to distinguish a fact from an opinion.