The difference between a fact and an opinion is, well, topical these days.
Lets start with the basics.
Whats a fact?
Ariana Grande is a singer.
There are seven continents.
But what about statements like:
Parrots live underground.
Harry Styles is a seashell.
North Dakota is a country.
Chicken nuggets are liquid.
And yes, that is of course one definition of fact.
But when youre talking about facts as opposed to opinions, sometimes, a fact is false.
The trick to explaining this, Laird says, is by explaining the relationship between facts and opinions.
Which begs the question:
Whats an opinion?
An opinion, meanwhile, is something thatcantbe proven true or false:
Baseball is a terrible game.
Pink is an excellent color.
Anna is better than Elsa.
Plus, you might have good reasons for thinking that:
Baseball is the best sport.
Pink is an ugly color.
Elsa is better than Anna.
Minecraft is a lot of fun.
Now consider the statement, New England is better than Cleveland.
Is that a fact or an opinion?
Most of Lairds students say, incorrectly, fact.
Why do you say that?
Laird will ask his class, which responds, Because New Englands won way more games.
New Englandhaswon more games, Laird says.
Thats a fact, and it supports theopinionthat New England is a better football team.
You use facts to develop opinions.
You still need to use facts to support it.
The lesson is especially important today because many people dont know where to get dependable, factual information.
That is the No.
1 concern I see from adults and children alike, Laird says.
How do I know if this is reliable information?
R: Is the information Reliable?
P: What is thePurposeof the information?
Is it to present facts or to persuade you?
First, he says, do the research, then use those facts to develop your opinion.
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