Name: Fer: _ Belief, Fact, and Opinion When learning about any subject, especially history or religion, it is important to know the difference between a fact, a belief, and an opinion. ‘A fact can be proved true. For example, itis a fact that Mars is the fourth planet from the sun. A fact can be proved either by actually observing something or by consulting a reliable source such as an encyclopedia. ‘An opinion is a statement or idea that tells how a person feels about something. If your friend says, "Pizza is the best food in the world,” he or she is stating an opinion. However, opinions supported by facts are more convincing, If your friend took a survey and discovered that more people ate pizza than any other food, he would have some support for his opinion. A belief is an idea or conviction that someone accepts as true or real. Some people, for example, believe that walking under a ladder is bad luck. Can this be proven? Probably not. But the person may still believe it true. Another person may believe in certain gods, while others do not. For them, these beliefs are like facts A belief system is 2 collection of ideas or teachings that influence a person's understanding of life. It usually gives instructions on how to live. As you will see, religions are a blend of both facts and belief systems. It can be proven that at least some of the religious leaders actually existed. The ideas they taught and some of the things they did, however, cannot be proven. Recognizing Beliefs, Facts, and Opinions Read each sentence and decide whether it is a belief, a fact, or an opinion. Write B for belief, F for fact, ‘or O for opinion before each sentence. 1. Finding a penny means good luck. The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. ‘There are seven continents on Earth. ‘The mountains are more beautiful than the desert, yap Ifyou are born in April, you will become rich. 6. Penguins are the cutest animals. i dependence! as tamit a ae 7. Oranges have a lot of vitamin C. 2 Ae ae 8. The rain forests in Brazil are being destroyed, 9. Rabbits make great pets. 10. You should stay home on Friday the 13".Hagia Sophia Facts are events, dates, statistics, or statements that can be proved to be true. Opinions are judgments, beliefs, and feelings. By identifying facts and opinions, you wil be able to think critically when a person is trying to influence your own opinion. dese UCL The following passage describes the church Hagia Sophia. It was one of the more notable structures in the development of Constantinople as the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Use the strategies listed below to distinguish facts from opinions How to Distinguish Facts HAGIA SOPHIA from Opinions Strategy @ Look for specific @ Hagia Sophia was built between a.p, 532 and 537. The Byzantine information that can be proved or emperor Justinian ordered that the cathedral be built on the site checked for accuracy. where an earlier church had burned down. @ The church is noted Strategy @ Look for assertions, for its large central dome, which rises 185 feet above the ground, claims, and judgments that express With numerous windows, arches, and vaults, the structure is hailed opinions. In this case, one speaker's by many as an architectural masterpiece. @ Said one observer, opinion is addressed in a direct quote. “You would declare that the place is not lighted by the sun from Strategy Think about whether state- without, but that the rays are produced from within.” iments can be checked for accuracy. Then, identify the facts and opinions in a chat. Make a Chart The chart below analyzes the facts and opinions from the passage above STATEMENT @ can 17 BE PROVED @ FACT OR OPINION Hagia Sophia was built between aD. 532 and 537, Hagia Sophia's central dome is 185 feet high ‘The inside of Hagia Sophia is so beautitul that it appears to make its own sunlight.