Watch: Fact and opinions
Learn about facts, opinions and bias.
TV Presenter: Breaking news! Breaking news! The new prime minister is a teenager!
Narrator: When you see the news on the TV or in newspapers, it's important to understand what kind of information you're getting.
Some of it is fact 鈥 things that are definitely true.
TV Presenter: The new prime minister is giving her first speech and is promising big changes!
Teenager: Double pocket money for everyone!
Narrator: But when people talk about what they think.
Pundit 1: She's a terrible prime minister!
Pundit 2: I don't agree! I really like her. And I think doubling pocket money is a really really good idea actually.
Narrator: That's what we call opinions.
If someone says something is good, or bad, it's not a fact, it's how they feel.
Sometimes people have already made their minds up about whether something's good or bad before they even know anything about it.
Pundit 3: All teens are smelly, and can't be trusted. Everybody knows that!
Narrator: That's called being biased.
If you think about what's fact, and what's just opinion, or bias, it's a lot easier to make sense of things.
What are facts?
Facts are definitely true.
They can be backed up with evidence.
For example:
The Prime Minister is giving a speech.
What are opinions?
Your opinion is how you feel.
Other people might think differently, they have a different opinion.
For example:
Having a teenager as Prime Minister is a terrible idea.
Watch: Super Movers facts and opinions
Watch this fun Super Movers video to learn more about facts and opinions.
Listen carefully because you鈥檒l be answering some questions afterwards.
If you like, you can sing and dance along with Martin Dougan.
Sing a song about fact and opinion with Martin Dougan.
[MUSIC]
MARTIN
(spoken) Hey everyone! I鈥檓 Martin, and I鈥檓 a really good singer! Is that a fact, or an opinion? I鈥檒l let you decide! Here we go!
(sung)
Is it fact or an opinion? (x2)
A fact is supported by evidence
No ifs or buts can鈥檛 sit on the fence
It鈥檚 correct 100%
There鈥檚 no place for an argument
It鈥檚 a fact
And that鈥檚 a fact
Is it fact or an opinion? (x2)
Opinion is subjective and exclusive to
An individual point of view
Or a belief you subscribe to
What you believe is up to you鈥
Opinion (x2)
Is it fact or an opinion? (x2)
A fact; the rain falls from the sky
Opinion: days are better when it鈥檚 dry
A fact: I鈥檓 standing here singing to you
Opinion: I love my singing and I鈥檓 sure you do too!
Is it fact or an opinion? (x2)
The earth revolves around the sun
Is that a fact or an opinion?
It鈥檚 a fact but wasn鈥檛 always known
With proof that鈥檚 what it has become
It鈥檚 a fact
And that鈥檚 a fact!
Is it fact or an opinion? (x2)
Opinions often sound like facts
But the evidence must be exact
People believe they speak the truth
But to be a fact there must be proof
It鈥檚 a fact
And that鈥檚 a fact!
Is it fact or an opinion? (x2)
Get together with your friends
Check out a list of statements
I guarantee that you鈥檒l have fun
Mind you, that鈥檚 just my opinion!
It鈥檚 a fact (x2)
(Is it fact or an opinion? x3)
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
Decide which of the following statements are facts and which are opinions.
1. Pandas are cuter than meerkats.
2. The Houses of Parliament are in London.
3. Apples grow on trees.
4. My cat is the best cat in the world!
5. Ice cream is horrible.
6. Water will become ice if the temperature is cold enough.
If you read the sentence and think that someone might not agree with it then it鈥檚 an opinion. Facts are always right.
Activity 4
Below is a selection of different topics. You need to write one fact and one opinion for each topic.
Write your facts and opinions on paper in full sentences.
1. A singer or band of your choice
2. A fruit of your choice
3. Animals
4. School
5. Space
For example:
Fact: Tigers have stripes to help them hide better in their natural environment.
Opinion: Elephants are the funniest animals because of their big ears and trunks.
Play our fun English game Crystal Explorers. game
Use grammar, punctuation and spelling skills to explore jungles, caves and tombs on your mission!
More on Talking and listening
Find out more by working through a topic
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