A Feature Article

 

By: Allyson Jane Cruz

 

Introduction:

We are living with different ideas and data every day. We are using such information not just on our daily life basis, but also in our principles in life. Ideas, data, information made our principles that show who we are. How can we know that the information we knew is a fact? Is it worth considering, believing, or fighting for? Or it is just a piece of opinion?

 

Body:

The word "fact" was derived from the Latin word factum and was first used in English with the meaning of, a thing is done or performed. According to Wikipedia, a fact is something that is postulated to have occurred or to be correct. Taken from that definition, fact is true or something that has occurred or has been proven correct.

 

Before it was considered as a fact, it undergoes verification. Such as careful observations and repeated experiments. Fact is something concrete used as a basis for further interpretation. Fact also shows findings derived through a process of evaluation, review of testimony, direct observation, or matter of inference or speculation. Facts can be check by reason, experiment, or personal experience.

 

Here are some examples of facts:

a. Big Bang is the leading explanation for the origin of the universe.

b. The Earth orbits the Sun.

c. A seahorse can move its eyes in opposite directions

d. Yogurt is a dairy product

e. Humans are warm-blooded mammals

 

On the other hand, opinion came from the Latin word opinio, from the stem of opinari ‘think, believe.’ As defined in Merriam Webster, opinion is a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter. Based on the meaning itself, an opinion is one’s conclusion or view about something that is not conclusive.

 

It could be a personal view, attitude, appraisal, perspective, understanding, or beliefs. Commonly, it is lacking to produce complete certainty. There are things left unexplained or incomplete. It has unconfirmed, unproven, and unsupported information that might be true or false.

 

Here are some examples of opinion:

a. Coffee tastes horrible.

b. Girls are better than boys.

c. Internet is expensive.

d. Philippines is the most beautiful country.

e. Catholics are the best.

 

We already defined the meaning of fact and opinion and now, let’s distinguish their differences.

Definition: A fact refers to something true or real, a statement that can be verified or proved to be true while opinion refers to beliefs and judgment.

Basis: Facts are based on observation or research while opinions are based on assumption or personal view.

What: Facts are objective reality however opinions are subjective statements. Verification: Facts are verifiable while opinions are not.

Representation: Facts represent what happened; opinions are perceptions. 

Words: Unbiased words are for facts while biased words are for opinions.

 

Conclusion:

Everywhere there is information so it is vital to understand the difference between fact and opinion. It might be difficult to distinguish which information is factual or opinionated. Keep in mind that facts can be proved as right and supported with evidence while opinion can be also right but can’t be proved as true.

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