When we read or watch the news, it's important for us to identify which statements are fact and which are opinion.
This is so that we can make our own judgement on what's going on.
Facts are clear statements that are true and can be supported with evidence.
For example:
The hill was thirty-seven metres high.
This statement can be checked to prove it's true.
As soon as someone gives their thoughts or feelings about something, it becomes an opinion.
So simply put, if someone says something is good or bad, we can tell this is an opinion straight away.
Opinions can sometimes be disguised as facts but we need to make sure that they aren't biased.
Biased means the statement is swayed towards one point of view.
For example:
Dogs make the best pets.
This almost sounds like a fact, but it is actually the opinion of someone who loves dogs and so is biased in favour of them.
Many people will think that other animals make better pets.
In this activity, you'll read a story and separate the facts from the opinions.