Minds On

Fact or opinion?

What's the difference between the following questions?

  • What is the top-selling music genre of 2020?
  • What is the world’s most popular music genre?
  • What is the best music genre?

Record your ideas using a method of your choice.

Action

Review important terms

A fact is something that is true and proven to be correct. For example, plants need carbon dioxide and water to live. It’s true. Prove it to yourself and stop watering your plants. Wait! That’s cruel!

An opinion is a view or a judgement about something. It’s not necessarily true, or even based on facts. “Plants are bothersome things,” seems like a fact. It’s stated in such certain terms!

What if it were rephrased as, “I think plants are bothersome things”? Does it appear to be an opinion now? Hint: It was always an opinion!

If we examine the word "prejudice" closely, you will notice the roots of the word: "pre" and "judge." Prejudice is an opinion formed that is not based on reason or an actual experience.

Bias is prejudice that either favors or is against one thing, person, or group compared with another, and usually in an unfair way.

Review your learning by examining the following sentences and filling in the blanks.

Activity

Use the following statements to identify the facts and/or the opinions expressed. Complete the Fact and Opinion Chart in your notebook or use the following fillable and printable document to record your ideas.

Fact and Opinion Chart
Fact Opinion
The top selling album of 2019 was a Lady Gaga album.
The world was enchanted by her performance at the Academy Awards.
Pop music is more listenable than country music.
A Tribe Called Red are an award-winning First Nations Hip Hop band.
Fact and Opinion Chart

Press the Activity button to access the Fact and Opinion Chart.

Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)

Consolidation

Research activity

News sources are filled with facts and opinions about current events. Sometimes it’s easy to confuse an opinion for a fact or a fact for an opinion!

Select a news source of your choice (audio, video, or print) and create a list of the different sections it contains. For example, news articles, editorials, advertorials, cartoons, and so on.

To what extent does this news source present objective, opinion-free facts? You can keep track of the opinions and facts presented in each section using a tally chart or another method of your choice. Then, summarize the information you gather to support your interpretation. Record your summary using a method of your choice!

Reflection

As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.

I feel...

Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.