This document discusses the differences between facts, opinions, and evaluated opinions. It provides examples of each and notes that facts are proven truths, opinions are beliefs that can be right or wrong, and evaluated opinions are based on evidence and knowledge. The document then presents several statements and asks the reader to determine if each is a fact, opinion, or evaluated opinion, and if an evaluated opinion, what kinds of evidence could be used to argue it.

1. What’s the
difference?
Fact, Opinion, and Opinion

2. A Fact…
 Is something proven to be true and is
unchangeable.
Water is wet. The sky is blue.
The Earth is round.

3. An opinion…
 Is something someone, or many someones,
believes.
It can be right.
It can be wrong.
It can be weird.
But it is always true for that
particular person or group.

4. An opinion…
 Is something someone, or many someones,
believes.
It can be right.
It can be wrong.
It can be weird.

5. Fact  Can’t be /doesn’t have to be
defended
Personal Taste  Can only be
changed by you, not someone else
Evaluated Opinion  Based on
evaluation of facts / knowledge
Fact, Opinion, and Opinion

6. If the thesis is arguable, you
should be able to think of the
kinds of evidence, facts,
support that you could use to
make the case.
Argue or Not?

7. Argue or Not?
 For each statement, answer these questions:
1. Is it Fact, Personal Opinion, or Evaluated Opinion, or do you
need to know more? And if you need to know more, what
specifically do you need to know?
2. If it is an arguable statement (evaluated opinion) what kinds of
evidence / support could you use?

8. Letter grades in all college courses
should be replaced by pass/fail grades.
Can You Argue It?

9. Capital punishment is not a deterrent
to crime.
Can You Argue It?

10. Lobster is my favorite seafood.
Can You Argue It?

11. Professor Heisler is one of the best
professors on campus.
Can You Argue It?

12. The university should install condom
machines in all dormitories.
Can You Argue It?

13. Abraham Lincoln was the best
President the United States ever had.
Can You Argue It?

14. Minorities make up only 9 percent of
the upper-management positions in
corporate America.
Can You Argue It?

15. The earth’s population will be 15 billion
by the year 2020.
Can You Argue It?

16. Juveniles who commit serious crimes
should be sent to adult prisons.
Can You Argue It?