OPINION OR ASSERTION

Distinguishing between an opinion and an

assertion often comes down to
understanding the nature of the
statement and the intent behind it.

An assertion is a statement that is

presented as a fact or a claim that can
be objectively true or false. It's
typically based on evidence, data, or
logical reasoning. For example, "The
Earth revolves around the Sun" is an
assertion because it's a scientifically
proven fact.

On the other hand, an opinion is a

statement that reflects a person's
feelings, beliefs, or thoughts. Opinions
are subjective and can vary from person
to person. They're not necessarily
based on evidence or facts. For
instance, "Chocolate ice cream is the best
flavor" is an opinion because it's a
personal preference.
Sometimes, it can be tricky to distinguish
between the two, especially when
someone's opinion is expressed strongly
or confidently. Context, language used,
and the presence or absence of
supporting evidence can help determine
whether a statement is an opinion or an
assertion. If there's a factual basis or
evidence supporting the statement, it's
likely an assertion. If it's more about
personal feelings or preferences without
supporting evidence, it's likely an opinion.

Keywords for Assertions:

Factual terms: "is," "are," "has," "exists,"
"can be proven," "demonstrates,"
"evidence shows," etc.
Quantitative terms: "all," "none," "every,"
"some," "many," etc., when used in a
factual context.
Scientific terms: "research indicates,"
"studies show," "scientifically proven,"
"empirical evidence supports," etc.
Historical references: Dates, events,
and occurrences that are widely accepted
and recorded.

Keywords for Opinions:

Subjective terms: "I feel," "I believe," "in
my opinion," "personally," etc.
Preference indicators: "prefer," "like,"
"dislike," "enjoy," "best," "worst,"
"favorite," etc.
Value judgments: "good," "bad,"
"beautiful," "ugly," "better," "worse," etc.,
when not based on measurable criteria.
Expressions of emotions: Words or
phrases that reflect emotions rather than
facts, like "happy," "sad," "exciting,"
"boring," etc., when used subjectively.

Keep in mind that these keywords aren't

foolproof, and context is crucial in
determining whether a statement is an
opinion or an assertion. Sometimes,
statements can be a blend of both, where
an opinion is supported by factual
evidence or presented as a belief rather
than an absolute truth.

Assertion: "Water boils at 100 degrees

Celsius at sea level."
This statement is an assertion because
it's a scientific fact that can be empirically
proven through experiments and
observations.

Opinion: "Strawberry is the most delicious

ice cream flavor."
This statement is an opinion because it
reflects personal taste and preference.
There's no objective measure of "most
delicious" when it comes to ice cream
flavors; it varies from person to person.

Assertion: "The capital of France is Paris."

This is an assertion as it's a verifiable
fact. It's widely accepted and can be
confirmed through various sources or
references.

Opinion: "Action movies are more

entertaining than romantic comedies."
This statement is an opinion because the
idea of what's entertaining can differ from
person to person. There's no absolute
measure of entertainment value, making it
subjective.

Assertion: "The Earth is round."

This is an assertion based on scientific
evidence and observations. It's a fact
supported by various scientific studies
and empirical data.

Opinion: "The Beatles are the greatest

band of all time."
This statement is an opinion because the
evaluation of what constitutes the
"greatest" band is subjective and varies
based on individual preferences and
perspectives.
In these examples, assertions are
statements that can be objectively verified
or have factual evidence supporting them,
while opinions are more subjective, based
on personal feelings, preferences, or
beliefs.

Activity 1: Opinion vs. Fact

Present students with statements and ask
them to differentiate between opinions
and facts, discussing why each falls into
its category.
"Van Gogh was one of the greatest
painters of all time." (Opinion)
"Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius."
(Fact)
"Democracy is the best form of
government." (Opinion)
"The moon orbits the Earth." (Fact)
"Exercise is essential for a healthy
lifestyle." (Opinion)

ACTIVITY 2:
assertions (statements that may lack
evidence) and others that are opinions
(personal beliefs or viewpoints):
1. "Chocolate ice cream is the tastiest
dessert."
2. "The Earth is flat."
3. "The capital of France is Paris."
4. "Cats are better pets than dogs."
5. "The Mona Lisa is a masterpiece."
6. "Global warming is caused by
human activity."
7. "Pineapple belongs on pizza."
8. "The Beatles are the greatest band
of all time."
9. "Mathematics is the most
challenging subject."
 10. "Pizza is the most popular fast
food."
11. "The sun rises in the east."
12. "Space travel will be common for
civilians in the future."
13. "Strawberries are the best fruit."
14. "Democracy is the best form of
government."
15. "The number 7 is lucky for most
people."

statements 3, 5, 7, 11, 15 are assertions

statements 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14,

are opinions
How to rephrase assertion statements
into opinion statements and vice versa:
From Assertion to Opinion:

Assertion: "The Earth is round."

Opinion: "I believe the Earth is round."

Assertion: "Water freezes at 0 degrees

Celsius."
Opinion: "In my opinion, water freezes at
0 degrees Celsius."

Assertion: "The capital of Japan is

Tokyo."
Opinion: "As far as I'm concerned, the
capital of Japan is Tokyo."

Assertion: "Dogs are mammals."

Opinion: "I think dogs are mammals."
Assertion: "Salt dissolves in water."
Opinion: "In my view, salt dissolves in
water."

From Opinion to Assertion:

Opinion: "Pizza is delicious."
Assertion: "Many people find pizza
delicious."

Opinion: "Michelangelo was a brilliant

painter."
Assertion: "Art critics widely regard

Michelangelo as a brilliant painter."

Opinion: "Rap music is the best genre."
Assertion: "Some individuals consider rap
music as the best genre."
Opinion: "Summer is the most enjoyable
season."
Assertion: "For many, summer is the most
enjoyable season."

Opinion: "Reading is a waste of time."

Assertion: "Some people consider reading
a waste of time."

By adding phrases like "I believe," "In my

opinion," or "As far as I'm concerned," you
can shift an assertion into an opinion
statement. To turn an opinion into an
assertion, you can generalize or present it
as a widely held belief rather than a
personal viewpoint.
Assertion to Opinion:
Assertion: "The speed of light is approximately
299,792 kilometers per second."
Opinion: "In my view, it seems plausible that the speed of
light could be around 299,792 kilometers per second."
Opinion: "I believe, from what I understand, the speed of
light might be close to 299,792 kilometers per second."
Opinion: "It's my perspective that the speed of light could
likely be about 299,792 kilometers per second."
Opinion: "I personally think, based on my understanding,
that the speed of light is probab ly around 299,792
kilometers per second."
Opinion: "It appears to me, in my view, that the speed of
light could be approximately 299,792 kilometers per
second."
Opinion to Assertion:
Opinion: "Listening to music enhances productivity."
Assertion: "Some individual
Assertion: "According to certain people, listening to music
boosts productivity."
Assertion: "There's a viewpoint among some that listening
to music enhances productivity."
Assertion: "Certain individuals strongly hold the belief that
listening to music increases productivity."
Assertion: "To some, listening to music is seen as a means
to enhance productivity."
Opinion: "Travelling alone fosters personal growth."
Assertion: "Some believe that traveling alone fosters
personal growth."
Assertion: "According to certain individuals, traveling alone
promotes personal growth."
Assertion: "There's a viewpoint among some that traveling
alone contributes to personal growth."
Assertion: "Certain individuals strongly believe that
traveling alone fosters personal growth."
Assertion: "To some, traveling alone is perceived as a
means for personal growth."
Opinion: "Learning a new language opens doors to
opportunities."
Assertion: "Some individuals believe that learning a new
language opens doors to opportunities."
Assertion: "According to certain people, learning a new
language unlocks opportunities."
Assertion: "There's a viewpoint among some that learning
a new language provides opportunities."
Assertion: "Certain individuals strongly hold the belief that
learning a new language leads to opportunities."
Assertion: "To some, learning a new language is seen as a
gateway to opportunities."
Opinion: "Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important."
Assertion: "Some individuals believe that maintaining a
healthy lifestyle is important."
Assertion: "According to certain people, maintaining a
healthy lifestyle holds significance."
Assertion: "There's a viewpoint among some that a healthy
lifestyle is crucial."
Assertion: "Certain individuals strongly believe that
maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential."
Assertion: "To some, a healthy lifestyle is considered
important."