Fact and Opinion: a beginners guide entry by Jester 11/4/2004 8:49 PM
It has come to my attention, that some people do not know the difference between fact and opinion.
Fact
1. Knowledge or information based on real occurrences: an account based on fact; a blur of fact and fancy. 2. A. Something demonstrated to exist or known to have existed: Genetic engineering is now a fact. That Chaucer was a real person is an undisputed fact. B. A real occurrence; an event: had to prove the facts of the case. C. Something believed to be true or real: a document laced with mistaken facts. 3. A thing that has been done, especially a crime: an accessory before the fact. 4. Law. The aspect of a case at law comprising events determined by evidence: The jury made a finding of fact.
Opinion
1. A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof: “The world is not run by thought, nor by imagination, but by opinion” (Elizabeth Drew). 2. A judgment based on special knowledge and given by an expert: a medical opinion. 3. A judgment or estimation of the merit of a person or thing: has a low opinion of braggarts. 4. The prevailing view: public opinion.
Now to simplify for those that are still confused. Example 1. In the middle of a storm, a person could say "It is raining".That would be fact. Saying "It's a bad day" would be opinion.
Example 2. Saying "The Patriot Act takes away some of an americans constitutional rights." is fact. Saying "The Patriot Act is a piece of crap." would be opinion.
I hope this demonstrates the difference between posting your opinion and posting facts.
Thank you all, you've been a beautiful audience. *opinion*
Location: Scotland Gender: Male Total Likes: 6 likes
Giant octo-penised rapephant
| | | |
Re: Fact and Opinion: a beginners guide < Reply # 3 on 7/20/2005 9:51 PM > | Reply with Quote
Yeah, in your opinion.
Chris...
We all had ostriches. My dad had an ostrich farm! I remember one day someone came in and said the high altitude bombing of Kosovo had been a limited success, so we all went out and celebrated… by killing an ostrich and boiling it in kiwi fruit.