english 72 week 9, day 2 march 19, 2014
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English 72 (83R)Wednesday, 3/19/14 -- Professor Elizabeth Buchanan
Homeworko Please place “Inferences” homework in the alpha folder
on the front desk. Essay Choices
o If you already know which 3 topics you would like to write about, please enter this information on the sign-up sheet.
Agendao Review Inferenceso Argument in Reading and Writingo Fact & Opiniono Literature Circle 5
Fact & Opinion
Fact and Opinion Today we are going to learn strategies that
will help you tell the difference between fact and opinion.
As students you spend a lot of time listening to other people—such as your teachers, parents, and friends.
You also listen to the radio and watch t.v. Sometimes people tell you the truth, but
sometimes they are giving an opinion.
Facts A fact is a statement that can be proved. You can prove it yourself
o Or you can use a reliable authority. Example:
o Barack Obama is the 44th president of the United States.o How can we prove this?
Facts Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961, in
Honolulu, Hawaii. How can we prove this? By looking at his birth certificate.
Barack Obama is married to Michelle Obama.
How can we prove this? Look at their wedding certificate.
Facts
It is important to understand that "facts" can change over time for a variety of reasons. o At one time in the past, it was
considered to be a "fact" that the earth was at the center of the universe.
o Of course, we now know that this is not true.
Is this a fact? The requirements to vote in the United
States are: A U.S. citizen At least 21 years old by the general election A resident of your precinct at least 30 days
prior to Election Day.
Which of the three sentences on the previous slide is not a fact?
The voting age today is 18. However, this did not go into
effect until 1971. Before that time the voting age was 21.
Opinions So now we know that there are
many ways to determine if something is a fact, but what about opinions?
An opinion cannot be proved. It is based on someone’s feelings or judgment.
Fact or Opinion?
http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6uHR90Sq6k
Can we really prove this?
Or is this a matter of opinion?
Opinions Opinions are beliefs or judgments that
cannot be proved by any objective means.
Any statement that deals with probabilities or future events is considered to be an opinion because it cannot be proved.
Opinions rely on abstract words that are not measurable, such as value-judgment words.
Words/Phrasing that Signal Opinion
I believe This suggests
Perhaps Apparently
Presumably In my view
Apparently It seems likely
In my opinion
Many experts agree
One interpretation is
One possibility is
Value Judgment Words
Necessary Interesting Successful Beautiful
Attractive Greatest Bad Nice
Worst Lovely Kind Thoughtful
Fact & Opinion Most of what we read and hear is a combination
of fact and opinion.
Because of this, it is important to be able to distinguish between the two.
Remember, not all opinions are of equal validity.
Poorly supported opinions are of little value, while opinions from an expert, or someone knowledgeable in the field, are considered to be more reliable.
Fact & Opinion In general, writers usually provide
evidence to support their ideas. However, as a critical reader, it is up to
you to review the evidence and determine the quality of the support.
Also, keep in mind what the author has left out.
Writers often try to mislead readers by leaving out some important information.
Let’s Practice We are going to take turns reading the
sentence that you picked up. Read it and tell us whether it is a fact or an opinion.
Literature Circle
Review Inferences
The Last Hour of Class on Wednesdays
Lab ContractoReminder: On Wednesdays, the last hour of class is reserved for lab contracts only! In order to make an exception, you need to check with me first.
Assignments due on Monday
Fact & Opinion/Bias Activity “Education” essay choices