Distinguishing Fact from Opinion

Distinguishing Fact from Opinion

Remember!

• Facts are statements that can be proved true. 
• Hypotheses are reasonable conclusions drawn from observation, that can be supported by evidence, falsified by counterevidence, but never proven true. 
• Opinions are statements that cannot be proved because they express a person’s feelings or belief. 

Use this chart to identify facts and opinions.

	Key Words and Concepts	Ask Yourself . . .
Identifying Facts	the fact that, in fact, indeed, the truth is, in point of fact, as a matter of fact, statistics (numbers)	Can this statement be verified by: checking reliable sources? observing it myself? doing an experiment? asking an expert? If YES, it’s a fact.
Identifying Hypotheses	trend, tend, all, every, everyone, decrease, increase, cause, make because, if, then (inclusion of numbers, measurements, or data)	Can the statement be falsified by: checking reliable sources? observing it myself? doing an experiment? asking an expert? If YES, it is a hypothesis.
Identifying Opinions	belief: believe, think, feel, argue, agree, support, in my opinion, as I see it, likely that, command: should, must, ought to judgment: good, best, worst	Can this statement be debated? Might a reasonable person disagree? Does this statement express feelings, beliefs, and / or bias? If YES, it’s an opinion.

Distinguishing Fact from Opinion Quiz