Fact or Opinion?

A fact can be proven; an opinion tells what someone thinks or feels.

Telling facts from opinions is key to understanding an author's purpose. A fact is a statement that can be proven true or false by checking a reliable source, measuring, or observing. An opinion tells what someone believes, feels, or prefers, and people can disagree about it. Compare: 'The Pacific is the largest ocean on Earth' is a fact; you can check it in an atlas.

'The ocean is the most beautiful place on Earth' is an opinion; someone else might prefer mountains. Some sentences mix both: 'Our school has 400 students, and it's the friendliest school in town. ' The first part is a fact, but the second part is an opinion. When you read, sort statements into these two piles. A text full of opinions is often trying to persuade you.

• 1A fact can be proven true or false.
• 2An opinion tells beliefs or feelings.
• 3One sentence can contain both.