Social studies skills

A fact is something that can be proved to be true. Facts can be proved by observing, measuring, or studying information.

• The flag of the United States has 13 stripes.

• This is a fact. It can be proved by looking at the flag and counting the number of stripes.

An opinion is something that a person believes, thinks, or feels. An opinion cannot be proved true.

• The flag of the United States is easy to draw.

• This is an opinion. People may have different opinions about what makes a flag "easy" to draw.