Fact vs. OpinionFact vs. Opinion

Introduction to News writingIntroduction to News writing

Telling Fact from Telling Fact from OpinionOpinion

A fact can be proven by empirical data.A fact can be proven by empirical data. A piece of specific information that can be A piece of specific information that can be

verified by measurement or by a record verified by measurement or by a record that is free from personal bias. that is free from personal bias.

An opinion cannot be proved true or An opinion cannot be proved true or false by empirical data. false by empirical data. No nonbiased documents, no records, no No nonbiased documents, no records, no

measurements can provide verification. measurements can provide verification. Opinions deal with attitudes, evaluations, Opinions deal with attitudes, evaluations,

probabilities, and emotions; They rely on probabilities, and emotions; They rely on personal feelings or judgment. personal feelings or judgment.

ExampleExample

What is the difference between these What is the difference between these statements?statements? Sunny Hills High School was built in Sunny Hills High School was built in

19591959 Sunny Hills covers four acres.Sunny Hills covers four acres. Sunny Hills is the best school in the Sunny Hills is the best school in the

Fullerton Joint Union High School Fullerton Joint Union High School district. district.

ExampleExample

The first two are facts because a The first two are facts because a reporter could look up newspapers or a reporter could look up newspapers or a building permit to determine the age. building permit to determine the age. The acreage could be checked through The acreage could be checked through blueprints. blueprints.

The third statement is opinion because The third statement is opinion because there is no objective standards in there is no objective standards in measuring “best.” What does “best” measuring “best.” What does “best” mean? What are they referring to? mean? What are they referring to? Academics, athletics, location? Academics, athletics, location?

Fact or OpinionFact or Opinion

John Jones scored a 2300 on his SAT.John Jones scored a 2300 on his SAT. John Jones is a bright boy. John Jones is a bright boy.

True and False FactsTrue and False Facts

All reporters must examine facts All reporters must examine facts carefully and double- and tripe-carefully and double- and tripe-check facts with at least three check facts with at least three sources. sources.

Remember, “if your mother tells you Remember, “if your mother tells you she loves you, check it out.” she loves you, check it out.”

Never report a fact that someone Never report a fact that someone else tells you without verifying it else tells you without verifying it first. first.

Mixed StatementsMixed Statements

Some statements contain fact and Some statements contain fact and opinion.opinion.

Opinion words (adjectives, etc.) = Opinion words (adjectives, etc.) = editorializingeditorializing

REMOVE all opinion words!REMOVE all opinion words!

ExampleExample

Bill Black, Tembrooke’s astute Bill Black, Tembrooke’s astute principal , said today that freshmen principal , said today that freshmen should take calculus when they are should take calculus when they are seniors because mathematics is seniors because mathematics is good discipline for the mind.good discipline for the mind. What did the principal do today?What did the principal do today? Is that a statement of fact or opinion?Is that a statement of fact or opinion? What did Principal Black say?What did Principal Black say? Is that a statement of fact or opinion?Is that a statement of fact or opinion? What about the word astute?What about the word astute? Is the sentence a statement of fact, Is the sentence a statement of fact,

opinion or mixture?opinion or mixture?

Editorializing Removed…Editorializing Removed…

Bill Black, Tembrooke principal, said Bill Black, Tembrooke principal, said today that freshmen should take today that freshmen should take Calculus when they are seniors Calculus when they are seniors because “Mathematics is good because “Mathematics is good discipline for the mind.”discipline for the mind.”