Recognizing Differences between Facts and Opinions
Most reading passages contain ideas based on fact and opinion. It is very important to know when we are reading facts and when we are reading a writer’s opinion. The ability to recognize differences between fact and opinion can help us to achieve a deeper level of understanding in our reading.
Facts are statements that tell what really happened or what really is the case. A fact can be proved or disproved with direct evidence. It is something known by actual experience or observing. For example:
Gail and I imagined a quiet wedding. During our two years together we had experienced the usual ups and downs of a couple learning to know, understand, and respect each other. (Para. 1, Reading Passage A, Unit 3)
Opinions are statements of belief, judgment or feeling. They show what someone thinks or feels about a subject. Solid opinions, of course, are based on facts. However, opinions are still somebody’s view of something and are not facts themselves. Look at the following example:
But when I met Mark I found him a charming and intelligent young guy. (Para. 6, Reading Passage A, Unit 3)
But it is not always easy to tell opinion from fact. A writer often combines the two in such a way that we do not always notice where fact ends and opinion begins. When we have a mixture of fact and opinion in a single statement, we must decide whether the main point of the sentence is essentially fact or opinion. Sometimes an opinion is presented as if it were a fact:
My biggest worry is that you may be marrying Mark for the same wrong reasons that I married your father. (Para. 7, Reading Passage A, Unit 3)
Recognizing Differences between Facts and Opinions
The particular reading skill introduced for this unit is recognizing differences between facts and opinions. The ability to recognize differences between fact and opinion is important because it can help us to achieve a deeper level of understanding in our reading.
Facts are statements that tell what really happened or what really is the case. A fact can be proved or disproved with direct evidence. It is something known by actual experience or observing. Look at the following example taken from Reading Passage A:
Her mother, Deborah, all along had been supportive of our relationship, and even joked about when we were going to get married so she could have grandchildren. (Para. 5, Reading Passage A, Unit 3)
This sentence tells us about a past state of affairs: certainly it is a fact.
Opinions are statements of belief, judgment or feeling. They show what someone thinks or feels about a subject. Some words can serve as clues to statements of some kinds of opinion. For example, probably, perhaps, usually, often, sometimes, on occasion are used to limit a statement of fact and to indicate the possibility of other opinions. Other words, such as I believe, I think, in my opinion, I feel, I suggest, say clearly that an opinion will follow. Look at the following examples:
1. Any mother would be proud to have him for a son-in-law. (Para. 7, Reading Passage A, Unit 3)
2. When we met I saw him as my beloved, intelligent, charming, and caring. (Para. 7, Reading Passage A, Unit 3)
3. I’m sure that time will only confirm what we feel deeply about each other. (Para. 8, Reading Passage A, Unit 3)
4. Maybe our children will have some problems, but whose children don’t? (Para. 18, Reading Passage A, Unit 3)
But it is not always easy to tell opinion from fact. A writer often combines the two in such a way that we do not always notice where fact ends and opinion begins. When we have fact and opinion combined in a single statement, we must decide whether the major clause or main point of the sentence is essentially fact or opinion. Sometimes an opinion is presented as if it were a fact:
But one thing they’ll always have: our love and devotion. (Para. 19, Reading Passage A, Unit 3)
On the surface it is a statement of fact, but actually it is only a promise, something yet to be realized in the future.