Fact and opinion

For grown-ups: this lesson in words

Years 3 to 6 · English

Fact and opinion: I can tell a fact from an opinion, say what a text is for and who it is for, and find the writer's viewpoint.

1. A fact is something you can check. An opinion is what someone thinks or feels.

   A cat has 4 legs. You can count them, so it is a fact.

   Cats are the best pets. Best is what one person feels. It is an opinion.

   Ice is frozen water: a fact you can check. Ice cream is delicious: an opinion.

   Picture: Sorting into 2 groups: Fact, Opinion. Fact: A cat has 4 legs (cat), Ice is frozen water (ice cube). Opinion: Cats are the best pets (cat), Ice cream is delicious (ice cream).

2. Some words are clues that a sentence is an opinion.

   I think and best show what one person feels. Someone else may pick a different sport.

   Ask: could someone else think differently about this? If yes, it is an opinion.

   Picture: The sentence "I think swimming is the best sport.", with "think" and "best" underlined.

3. Your turn: Which of these is a fact?

   Choose one:

   • A week has 7 days.
   • Saturday is the best day of the week.
   • Weekends are far too short.

   Answer

   The answer: A week has 7 days.

   A week has 7 days. You can count the days, so it is a fact. Best and too short are what someone thinks.

Words to know

fact:

Something that can be checked: counted, measured or looked up.

opinion:

What one person thinks or feels. Other people may think differently.

purpose:

The reason a text was written: to persuade, inform, instruct or entertain.

audience:

The people a text is written for.

viewpoint:

What the writer thinks about the subject. The writer's words show it.

persuade:

To try to make the reader do something or agree with something.