9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Is it a fact, or is it an opinion? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Does it matter? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Both are important. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But knowing how to distinguish[br]between fact and opinion 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 can help us to better understand 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 what we read and hear, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and how we form our opinions. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Let's take a look. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 A fact is a statement [br]that can be proven to be true. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Facts are objetive, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 which means they are not influenced 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 by what someone thinks or believes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 A fact is indisputable 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and cannot be changed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There are some key questions[br]to identify facts. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 1) Can it be measured or confirmed[br]with calculations or data? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 For example, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 two plus two equals four. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We can add the numbers and demostrate 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that this stament is true. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 2) Can it be observed?[br]Can we see it happen? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 For, instance, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 99% of people cannot lick ther elbow. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is true. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is a fact that can be observed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Research has determined[br]that one over a hundred people 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 can successfully complete this task. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 3) Can it be verified by primary sources, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 such as research, photographs, newspapers, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and other facts? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Here is an example, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Nintendo was started in 1889. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is a fact because it can be verifed 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 by many sources. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 A man named Fusajiro Yamauchi, from Japan 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 founded Nintendo[br]as a playing card company in 1889, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and now is one of the largest[br]gaming companies in the world. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Now, let's move on to opinion, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 which sometimes can be a little trickier. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 An opinion is a statement 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of believe or judgement. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Opinions express[br]which someone thinks or feels. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 An opinion can change. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Let's look some examples. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Ice cream is delicious. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Many people believe this [br]but some people don't. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It is a judgement, [br]and therefore an opinion. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 When we evaluate something or somebody 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we often use adjectives[br]such as important, beautiful 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 fun or difficult. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 An adjective that allows to judge something 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is a clue that a statement is an opinion. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Another signal word for opinions[br]is the word should. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Here is an example. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Everyone should learn[br]more than one language. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Whether may be very good reasons 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to learnn more tnan one language, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 not everyone would agree, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 personal value do itself. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Political views are opinions. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Different people hold different ideas 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 about what societies are, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and how is the best to address them. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Since opinion can´t be proven or disproven, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 there is no right or wrong answer, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 just different view points. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 While opinions may be supported[br]by facts and evidence, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the issue we care about[br]will still be 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 For example, I can say that 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 going to school year-round [br]is better for students. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There are supporters of this viewpoint. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Someone argues[br]that a shorter vacation period 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 would prevent students [br]from forgetting what they learnt, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or say that students often get bored[br]over the summer. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Or that other countries around the world[br]use a year-round system. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 However, we cannot prove[br]that the stament is true. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There are many reasons to think[br]that a tenth- month calendar is better. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You can argue that a student needs[br]an extended break, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and that they should be allowed[br]to participate in other activities.