Fact_and_Opinion.pptTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

FACT VS OPINION

1. Fact and Opinion: Is There Fact and Opinion: Is There
Really a DifferenceReally a Difference
Every man has a right to be wrong in his opinions.
But no man has a right to be wrong in his facts.
--Baruch, Bernard M 1870-1965 Baruch, Bernard M 1870-1965
American FinancierAmerican Financier
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2. How to Navigate Through a How to Navigate Through a
PowerPoint WorkshopPowerPoint Workshop
This PowerPoint Presentation is designed This PowerPoint Presentation is designed
to be experienced as a workshop. to be experienced as a workshop.
To ensure that you do not miss To ensure that you do not miss
important information, only use your important information, only use your
mouse at this prompt:mouse at this prompt:
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3. Let’s Get The Facts Straight!Let’s Get The Facts Straight!
There is a difference between There is a difference between
FACT and OPINION.FACT and OPINION.
FactsFacts are statements that can be proven.
OpinionsOpinions can not be proven. They are based
on someone's thoughts, their feelings and
their understanding.
Though you may be able to use facts to add
credibility to an opinion, it is still an opinion!
Though an opinion may be widely accepted,
that does not make it a fact.
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4. Let’s Get The Facts Straight!Let’s Get The Facts Straight!
A fact is something that can be proven
by a reliable authority such as:
Note : None of these authorities are fool proof, but information that they
provide is considered to be fact.
A
history book
An observation
Governmental
law
Proven
scientific law
Statistics
Mathematic
s
Measurement
s
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5. Lets Look at Some Examples of FactsLets Look at Some Examples of Facts
John F. Kennedy was John F. Kennedy was
President 1961-1963President 1961-1963
History BookHistory Book
The adult human The adult human
body has 206 bonesbody has 206 bones
ScienceScience
56% of US gun 56% of US gun
Deaths are suicidesDeaths are suicides
StatisticStatistic
21 is the legal 21 is the legal
drinking age in drinking age in
Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH
Governmental Governmental
LawLaw
FactsFacts
Reliable Reliable
AuthorityAuthorityMust Have aMust Have a
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6. More Examples of FactsMore Examples of Facts
What About Observations?
Observations are facts because they can be proven by the senses.
Some flowers are Some flowers are
larger than others.larger than others.
You can bring in You can bring in
flowers of various flowers of various
sizessizes
The shirt is green.The shirt is green.You can bring in the You can bring in the
shirt so that the color shirt so that the color
can be seencan be seen
FactFact How it is ProvableHow it is Provable
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7. Getting the Facts on FactsGetting the Facts on Facts
Some facts change over time.Some facts change over time. For
example:
It was once considered to be a fact that the world was flat.It was once considered to be a fact that the world was flat.
We believed that those traveling too far in either direction We believed that those traveling too far in either direction
could literally fall off!could literally fall off!
Because new things are being discovered everyday, reliable authorities are sometimes forced
to alter what we all once considered to be facts.
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8. Lets Look at Some Examples of Lets Look at Some Examples of
OpinionsOpinions
John F. Kennedy was an President.John F. Kennedy was an President.
the adult human body has more the adult human body has more
bones thanbones than
that the US suicide rate will decrease that the US suicide rate will decrease
soon.soon.
for the legal drinking age to be 21.for the legal drinking age to be 21.
Here are some of the same topics that we saw as Here are some of the same topics that we saw as
facts. Can you figure out how they were changed to facts. Can you figure out how they were changed to
opinions?opinions?
excellentexcellent
Apparently, Apparently,
It is unfairIt is unfair
It is likelyIt is likely
necessary.necessary.
All of these words All of these words
are hints that are hints that
there is an there is an
opinion present.opinion present.
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9. Types of OpinionsTypes of Opinions
There are Several Types of Opinions:There are Several Types of Opinions:

Hypothesis StatementsHypothesis Statements

Theory StatementsTheory Statements

Assumptive StatementsAssumptive Statements

Value StatementsValue Statements

Exaggerated StatementsExaggerated Statements
Lets Take a Quick Look at all of them.
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10. A Hypothesis is an assumption made in an attempt to
explain an observation. Though an Observation is a Fact, a
Hypothesis is an Opinion.
Some flowers are larger than others
because they are in more fertile soil.
This hypothesis would have to be further
investigated and scientifically proven to be
considered a fact.
For Example, if I were to elaborate on a previous observation
and say:
Types of Opinions: Types of Opinions:
Statements of HypothesisStatements of Hypothesis
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11. 
The Theory of Relativity.The Theory of Relativity.

The Evolutionary Theory.The Evolutionary Theory.
Types of Opinions: Types of Opinions:
Statements of TheoryStatements of Theory
A theory is an opinion that is a widely believed
explanation for a group of observations. Here are two
well known examples:
Though many scientists believe that these theories are true, we still consider
them to be opinions rather than facts because they have not been proven.
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12. If Hillary Clinton ran for President she would If Hillary Clinton ran for President she would
definitely win.definitely win.
The war in Iraq will eventually cost the US all The war in Iraq will eventually cost the US all
of its allies.of its allies.
When that new movie comes out it will When that new movie comes out it will
definitely be at the top of the charts!definitely be at the top of the charts!
Types of Opinions: Types of Opinions:
Statements of AssumptionStatements of Assumption
An assumptive statement is an opinion that is an
improvable prediction. Here are three examples
Though these are stated as though they are true, they are only assumptive opinions.
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13. Colin Powell is an excellent candidate for Colin Powell is an excellent candidate for
president. president.
The use of animals in lab testing is cruel and The use of animals in lab testing is cruel and
must be stopped.must be stopped.
The Bahamas is the most beautiful place on The Bahamas is the most beautiful place on
Earth.Earth.
Types of Opinions: Types of Opinions:
Statements of ValueStatements of Value
A value statement is any claim that is based on
someone's beliefs. Here are three examples
Value Statements are often opinions attempting to sway the reader to a certain belief.
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14. There were millions of people rioting on There were millions of people rioting on
the streets of down town Cincinnati.the streets of down town Cincinnati.
The president has not made one good The president has not made one good
decision since he has been in office!decision since he has been in office!
Types of Opinions: Types of Opinions:
Statements of ExaggerationStatements of Exaggeration
An exaggerated statement is one that embellishes the
facts, often to sway the reader. Here are two examples
Writers often use exaggeration to make their point more clear. They are still opinions.
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15. Opinions: Words To Look Out ForOpinions: Words To Look Out For
There are Certain Words that will Warn You that You
are Being Given an Opinion and
Not a Fact!
Perhaps

Apparently
Experts Agree
Necessary
Best / Worst
Successful
Maybe
Probably
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16. Getting the Facts About OpinionsGetting the Facts About Opinions
An opinion is not necessarily wrong, it is merely An opinion is not necessarily wrong, it is merely
not a provable fact.not a provable fact.
For example:For example:
““Bridgett is a very beautiful young lady.”Bridgett is a very beautiful young lady.”
Even if everyone agreed with this statement, it is still an opinion because it is
not provable. Beauty is relative.
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17. Keeping Your Facts Straight
Do you think that you can separate facts from opinions?
The next slide will have five statements. Decide whether
each statement is a factfact, or an opinionopinion. Write down
you answers on a separate sheet of paper.
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18. The best way to choose a spouse is based on brains, not beauty.
The car probably stopped running because it ran out of gas.
The Learning Center is in the Educational Services Building.
If I were to go on to receive my Bachelors, I would not be
successful.
There are 121 prescription drugs that come from plants.
Keeping Your Facts Straight
Separate the facts from the opinions.
Write your answers on a separate sheet of
paper.
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19. Keeping Your Facts Straight
How well did you do?
The best way to choose
a spouse is based on
brains, not beauty.
-Opinion: value
statement
The car probably
stopped running because
it ran out of gas.
-Opinion:
hypothesis
The Learning Center is
in the Educational
Services Building. -
Fact
If I were to go on to
receive my Bachelors, I
would not be successful.
-Opinion:
Assumption
There are 121 prescription drugs that come from plants.
-Fact
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20. Need more help Need more help
Separating Facts from Opinions?Separating Facts from Opinions?
Visit Us on Campus at: Visit Us on Campus at:

The Learning Center The Learning Center
Room 100 Room 100
Educational Services Building Educational Services Building
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workshop}workshop}