Facts about Facts

1. A fact is provable.

It COULD be objectively proven by...

1. • Looking it up.

1. • • 1. The Tennessee Titans used to be the Houston Oilers.
       2. Cows are sacred in India.
       3. Dogs are the most popular pet in the world.

   • Seeing it for ourselves.

1. • • 1. My mom can run a 6-minute mile.
       2. The tree was hit by lightning.
       3. The car got a flat tire at mile marker 121.

   • Using data to verify the fact.

1. • • 1. The Tennessee Titans won more games in 2023 than in 2024. 
       2.  Australia is wider than the moon.
       3. Gas is more expensive this year compared to last year. 

   • Relying on past witnesses. If it happened in the past, someone else likely saw, it spoke about it, photographed it, or wrote about it. 

1. • • 1. Cleopatra married two of her brothers.
       2. In the Middle Ages, animals could be put on trial. 
       3. The first Thanksgiving meal included deer, corn, and shellfish. 
2. Facts are sometimes proven untrue.

• "Pluto is a planet."
• "The earth is flat." 
• "There is no cure for that disease."

Facts about Opinions

1. Opinions are not provable.

1. • • 1. The Tennessee Titans' new stadium is going to be amazing. (We can't prove anything in the future or "amazing.") 
       2. We are going to have a quiz next class. (We can't prove the future.)
2. Opinions often include value or judgement words.

2. • • 1. Mr. Phillips is the best English teacher at the school. 
       2. The sunset was beautiful last night. 
       3. It is important to floss teeth daily in addition to brushing them. 
3. Opinions include personal bias. 

3. • • 1. In-person classes are better than virtual ones.
       2. Parents should not let their children go on social media until they are at least 16.
       3. There are too many reality shows on television.  
4. Opinions are often mixed in with facts.

4. • • 1. The Tennessee Titans have a new running back this year, and they are going to win it all.
       2. In the Middle Ages, animals could be put on trial, which is crazy.
       3. The first Thanksgiving meal tasted awful, as it was mostly deer, corn, and shellfish. 

How to Identify Bias in Reading:

1. Analyze the Language Used

   • Look for emotionally charged, one-sided, or exaggerated language.

   • Watch for overly positive or negative descriptions that seem unbalanced.

   • Be cautious of sweeping statements about groups, ideas, or events that lack nuance or context.

2. Check the Evidence

   • Is the evidence factual and supported by reliable sources?

   • Are differing points of view acknowledged or dismissed without proper consideration?

   • Notice if important facts are excluded.

3. Evaluate the Purpose

   • Consider the author’s goal: Are they trying to inform, persuade, or promote a particular agenda?

   • Look for underlying motivations, such as political, commercial, or personal interests.

   • Think about whom the text is written for and how that might shape the presentation of information.

Practice 2: Fact and Opinion Practice in Context

Read the paragraph. 

1. Find the value and judgement words which clue us in to any statements of opinion. 

2. Which 2 sentences are facts? 

3. Overall, what is the main idea of the paragraph? 

4. Is this main idea of the paragraph a fact or opinion? 

1Artificial intelligence (AI) has several exciting benefits we should all take advantage of. 2AI now is used in everything from healthcare to education. 3For example, AI-powered tools help doctors diagnose diseases and provide personalized learning experiences for students. 4 It really is not even necessary for anyone to go to school anymore since every job can be done with AI. 5Those who do decide to attend school should have AI do their homework with the push of a button. 6"Original" essays and opinions may be created in seconds on any topic under the sun. 7It is especially wise to have AI write longer essays since it is impossible to write hundreds of words with today's busy lifestyles. 8AI also brainstorms and generates better ideas than students can on their own, so there is no need to spend time thinking, reading, or researching! 9In our daily lives, AI is also there to create the most helpful time management plans, the tastiest meal plans, and financial budgets which will make us all wealthier. 10Since AI is more creative and smarter than each of us individually, we should use it whenever we can without worrying about the "best" way to use it. 

Check your answers in the Module 4.1 section of the Practice Answer Key.

Practice 3: How Well Can You Tell Facts from Opinions? 

See how you measure up against other adults in the United States. 

Compare Your Fact/Opinion Skills from Pew Research Center

Click here to continue to M4.2 Purpose