Main content

Fact or opinion | Quick guide

Google Classroom

Is this supported by facts?

A few questions will ask you to determine whether information presented in a reading selection fact or opinion.

Examples

"The author of the passage expresses an opinion about which of the following?"
"Which of the following sentences from the passage contains an expression of the author’s opinion?"

Strategies

Locate emotion words: Is there a point where the author uses emotionally charged words to describe something? Do they characterize something as very negative or very positive? If so, there's a good chance the author is expressing an opinion.
Says who? Each time a statement is made or a conclusion is drawn, ask yourself "says who?" To be facts, claims need to be supported by evidence and logic, not just the perspective of the author.

Your turn!

Practice these strategies with the example below!

Example

William Bailey, an American Realist painter, studied at Yale in the 1950s. His still lifes depict smooth, rounded containers that sit in a field of uniform color. Bailey denies a close connection to Giorgio Morandi, an Italian painter of still lifes, but admits that they share "a belief in the power of the mute object." While Morandi painted from direct observation, Bailey painted from memory. This difference in method makes Bailey's objects superior to Morandi's, for they are thus purified, immutable, and mysterious.

Which of the following statements, taken from the passage, is most clearly an expression of opinion rather than fact?

(Choice A)
William Bailey, an American Realist painter, studied at Yale in the 1950s.
(Choice B)
His still lifes depict smooth, rounded containers that sit in a field of uniform color.
(Choice C)
Bailey denies a close connection to Giorgio Morandi, an Italian painter of still lifes, but admits that they share "a belief in the power of the mute object."
(Choice D)
While Morandi painted from direct observation, Bailey painted from memory.
(Choice E)
This difference in method makes Bailey's objects superior to Morandi's, for they are thus purified, immutable, and mysterious.

Want to join the conversation?

Sort by:

avel0659
Posted a year ago. Direct link to avel0659's post “I love david and paige fr...”
I love david and paige from the videos they explain really well and help me with my grammar reading and a little with writing thank so much for helping me improve.
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(2 votes)
Answer
Aidan hall
Posted 10 months ago. Direct link to Aidan hall's post “i dont know one”
i dont know one
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(1 vote)
Answer
wellsbenrome
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to wellsbenrome's post “What is a fact a fact is ...”
What is a fact a fact is true becuse it comes from a real rebal soucer and oping is the authors telling you i am the best football in the world that is a an a oping.
Button navigates to signup pageComment on wellsbenrome's post “What is a fact a fact is ...”
(0 votes)
Answer

Praxis Core Reading

Course: Praxis Core Reading > Unit 1

Is this supported by facts?

Examples

Strategies

Your turn!

Want to join the conversation?