A FACT
J Objective information that can be checked or proved to be true
J Information that does not change
J Not a statement about the future
Clues to identify fact:
A the use of dates and year
~ Example: Walt Disney was born on 5th December 1901, and died on 15th December 1966.
A the use of statistics/ figures/ precise numbers or quantities
~ Example: Since Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1953 more than 1000 climbers from 20 countries have also conquered the 8848 metre mountain.
A the use of definition
~ Example: Adolescence can be defined as the stage in a person's life when one develops from a child into an adult.
A when stating a geographical or scientific fact
~ Example: The earth is round.
AN OPINION
J Is a statement that cannot be proved to be true or false
J Is one's personal belief, idea or feeling about a subject
J Can be a statement about the future
Clues to identify opinions:
A The use of adjectives which show your point of view or emotions
(exciting, fun, excellent, worst, ugly, pretty)
~ Example: The climb up Gunung Ledang was exciting.
A the use of comparison words which show a comparison between two or more things
(more, most, better, best, worst, least)
~ Example: Siti Nurhaliza is the most talented singer in Malaysia.
A the use of other words which show frequency, possibility, advisability and necessity
(probably, perhaps, may, should, must, always)
~ Example: Sheela is probably still angry with her boyfriend for not remembering her birthday.
A the use of phrases which show a belief, a suggestion, a feeling or an opinion
(it appears that, in my opinion, I believe, I suggest, I feel, I think)
~ Example: It appears that, Jasmine and Mary are both interested in the same.