Fact and Opinion

Fourth GradeUnit 3 Week 2By Kristi Waltke

Facts  A statement of fact can be correct or

    incorrect. You can check it by doing    research.

Monkeys are mammals.

Mercury is the planet closest

to the sun.

Opinions A statement of opinion cannot be proved

true or false. It is a belief or judgment. It often contains a word of judgment, suchas best, should, or beautiful. It may beginwith the words In my opinion or I believe.

She is the coolest girl in

school!

Bananas are the best fruit on a summer day.

OpinionsA statement of opinion should be

supported. A valid opinion is supported by facts or good logic. A faulty opinion is not.

Fact and OpinionSome sentences contain both

statements of fact and statements of opinion.

The beautiful whale can grow as big as 100 feet long!

It is the author’s

opinion that the whale is

beautiful.

The size of a blue whale

can be proven.

A photo essay like Adelina’s Whales is the best genre for fourth graders to read.

Is this statement a fact or an opinion?While it can be proven that Adelina’s Whales is a photo essay, this statement contains an opinion. Notice “best” is a judgment word.

La Laguna is the most amazing place for Adelina to grow up.

Is this statement a fact or an opinion?It cannot be proven true or false. It involves a belief or judgment, feelings. It

might be a valid opinion, but it is not a fact.

Adelina has lived in La Laguna her whole life.

Is this statement a fact or an opinion?This can be proven. A person could research this statement.

Adelina and her family believe their hometown is a special place.

Is this statement a fact or an opinion?It involves a belief or judgment. Notice

that “believe” is one of words that signals an opinion. However, there are facts in the story that make this opinion valid.

Mother whales are proud parents. They lift their babies up to show them off.

Is this statement a fact or an opinion?It involves a belief or judgment. It cannot be proven whether whales are

proud parents or not.

Whales brains are as large as a car’s engine.

Is this statement a fact or an opinion?This can be proven. A person could research this statement.

As you read, try to distinguish facts from opinions.

Remember how to figure out if a statement is a fact or an opinion.

Remember that opinions can be valid, but that doesn’t make them facts.