Fact opinion

#6225 Essential Skills: Reading and Writing

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Dear Parent or Guardian: Your son or daughter is currently learning to identify statements of fact and statements of opinion in stories. Here is your chance to help him or her practice this important skill.

In this PAL Packet you will find a short activity for you and your son or daughter to do. Please do the activity and “The Back Page.” Then sign your name on “The Back Page” and have your son or daughter return it by ________________.

Thanks for your help.

Sincerely, __________________________________

#6225 Essential Skills: Reading and Writing

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Fact and Opinion

Fact vs. Opinion Parent Pointer When authors write to persuade a reader, they present both facts and opinions for the reader to consider. By being able to identify a statement of opinion, a reader knows the way an author feels about a particular subject. An opinion is a conclusion or judgment held with confidence. A fact, on the other hand, is something that actually exists, something that has actually occurred, or something known by observation or experience to be true or real. By being able to identify facts, the reader can determine whether the author’s opinion is something he or she can agree with.

Student Directions With a parent or partner, read the story “Pure Genius” on the next page. As you read, think about the statements that the author is using. When you have finished reading, you should complete the “Fact and Opinion” worksheet by following the directions. Then discuss your answers with your partner.

Talk About It After you have finished the activity, turn to “The Back Page” to show what you know.

Now go have some fun with the activity!

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Fact and Opinion

Pure Genius “First, be sure a thing is wanted or needed.

Then, go ahead.” These are the words of Thomas Alva Edison, the greatest inventor the world has ever known.

Thomas Edison was born to invent things.

He had a curiosity about everything he touched. By the time he was 16, he had already taken apart a telegraph machine.

Once he discovered how the machine worked, he made several changes to it that made it work better. At 21, Edison took a patent out on his first invention, an electric vote-counter to be used in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Many of Edison’s inventions were among the most useful and helpful inventions ever created. He is responsible for inventing the electric light, the phonograph, the stock ticker, and the alkaline storage battery. We are able to enjoy motion pictures in theaters today because Edison invented the motion-picture projector. Many of his lesser inventions came easily. Others, such as the electric light bulb, required years of work by Edison and thousands of dollars to perfect.

Thomas Edison will always be remembered as the most productive inventor of all time. In 1882 alone, he applied for 141 patents, 75 of which were granted. Many inventors consider their careers successful if they invent even a few useful devices. When Edison died in 1931 at the age of 84, he had patented 1,093 inventions.

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Fact and Opinion

Fact and Opinion Directions: “Pure Genius” contains both statements of fact and statements of opinion. Review the definitions below. Find two statements of fact and tell how you know they are facts. Find two statements of opinion and tell how you know they are opinions.

Fact

Opinion

something that exists, something that has actually occurred, or something known by observation or experience to be true or real a conclusion or judgment that expresses how someone feels or thinks

Facts

How I Know

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2.

Opinions

How I Know

1.

2.

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Fact and Opinion

The Back Page Talk About It Parent

Ask your son or daughter the following question: • How can you tell a statement of fact from a statement of opinion?

Student

Answer the above question in complete sentences in the space below.

_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Do one of the following activities on a separate piece of paper: • Write one statement of fact and tell why it is a statement of fact. Write one statement of opinion and tell why it is a statement of opinion.

• Cut out sentences from a magazine or newspaper that are statements of fact and opinion. Paste the facts in one column and the opinions in another.

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Student’s Name Parent or Guardian’s Signature #6225 Essential Skills: Reading and Writing

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