Understanding Fact, Opinion, and Argument

1. Fact vs. Opinion vs. Argument Powerpoint Templates

2. Facts Are : • Facts are: • Exact, specific • Things that have taken place • Things that can be investigated and found to be true • Example: According to a 2005 survey by Health Canada, 75% of adolescents in grade 9 drink alcohol.

3. Opinions Are : Example: • Conclusions, views, thoughts or feelings • Are not exact and they are not proven • Vague/unclear statements about the • past, present or future Too many adolescents drink alcohol.

4. Arguments are: • Reasons given to support or reject a view one has • Explanations that indicate why an event has, is or will happen • Attempts to prove something by using reasons, evidence and facts as support Example: It is necessary to launch a public campaign to encourage adolescents to drink less alcohol (defending the idea) since according to a Health Canada survey, the majority of students in grade 9 drink alcohol (reason given to defend the idea).

5. Fact vs. Opinion vs. Argument Exercise • Identify whether the following examples are either facts or opinions • Study the following groups of statements. In each case, identify the underlined portion as fact or opinion. Buzz in when you think you know the answer

6. Fact vs. Opinion vs. Argument Exercise More and more women are deciding to give birth to their children at home. A hospital, after all, is not the best place for a baby to be born. Fact

7. Fact vs. Opinion vs. Argument Exercise More and more women are deciding to give birth to their children at home. A hospital, after all, is not the best place for a baby to be born. Fact

8. Fact vs. Opinion vs. Argument Exercise B. J. Vukovich, author of Claws, the best-written novel of the disaster genre, will speak at tonight’s “How I Became An Author” meeting.. Opinion

9. Fact vs. Opinion vs. Argument Exercise Once the cavity reaches the dentin (the hard, dense, bone-like material that composes the principal mass of the tooth), it must be cleaned and filled. Some researchers, however, are beginning to question whether periodic cleaning and checking of the enamel (the calcareous substance that forms a thin layer capping the teeth) plays a significant role in preventing tooth decay. Fact

10. Fact vs. Opinion vs. Argument Exercise Kobe Bryant should’ve won the Most Valuable Player award for 2005-06, because he scored more points than any other player. Argument

11. Fact vs. Opinion vs. Argument Exercise Janet Guthrie, world famous auto racer, was the least nervous driver at the Indy 500. Opinion

12. Fact vs. Opinion vs. Argument Exercise Education on texting while driving should become mandated in schools since texting messaging while driving leads to increased distraction and has led to an increased risk of a possible car accident by 23% Argument

13. Fact vs. Opinion vs. Argument Exercise B. J. Vukovich, author of Claws, the best-written novel of the disaster genre, will speak at tonight’s “How I Became An Author” meeting. Opinion

14. Fact vs. Opinion vs. Argument Exercise • Lots of children today are guilty of anti-social behaviour Opinion there is no clear evidence for this and it could be argued that ‘lots of children’ are well-behaved

15. Fact vs. Opinion vs. Argument Exercise A study produced in 2006, showed that 1 in 10 teenagers do not talk to their parents about what worries them Fact

16. Fact vs. Opinion vs. Argument Exercise Chocolate milk tastes better than whole milk Opinion