What you will learn
- Tell a fact from an opinion.
- Notice words that try to push you to agree.
- Ask what an advert wants you to do.
A fact is a statement you can check. You can look it up, measure it, or see it. “Port of Spain is the capital of Trinidad and Tobago” is a fact.
An opinion is what someone thinks or feels. “Mango is the best fruit” is an opinion. Another person can disagree, and nobody is simply wrong about a favourite.
Persuasion is trying to make someone think or act in a certain way. Adverts, speeches and even friends can persuade. You can enjoy an advert and still notice what it is doing.
Facts and opinions
Test a sentence with “Can I check this?” If yes, it is likely a fact. If the sentence uses words such as best, worst, beautiful, boring or should, it is often an opinion. Those words judge.
Some sentences mix both. “This juice costs five dollars and it is delicious” has a price you can check and a taste you cannot prove. Split the sentence in your mind.
Opinions are allowed. A report can say “I think” so the reader knows it is a view. Trouble starts when an opinion is dressed up as a fact.
Worked example 1
Sort the ideas in “The pavilion was built in 2010, and it is the finest in the island.”
Show me how
Built in 2010 can be checked on a sign, in a book, or by asking. That part is a fact.
Finest is a judgement. Another person may prefer a different pavilion.
So the sentence has one fact and one opinion.
How persuasion works
People persuade with reasons, with feelings, and with tricks. A fair reason gives a checkable support: the bat is lighter, so it is easier to swing. A feeling says you will be happy, popular or left out.
Watch for loaded words. “Only a careless person would skip this” tries to make you feel ashamed. “Everyone in the class has one” tries to make you follow the crowd. That crowd idea is sometimes called a bandwagon.
A picture of a smiling star, a bright colour, or a big low price can persuade too. Ask: what does the maker want me to do next? Usually it is to buy, to join, or to agree.
Worked example 2
An advert says “Nine out of ten pupils picked this pencil. Do not be the one left out.” What is being used?
Show me how
Nine out of ten is a number. You would still ask who counted, and how.
Do not be the one left out pushes a feeling of being alone.
The advert wants you to pick that pencil so you feel part of the group.
Answer an argument
When someone argues, listen for the claim and the support. The claim is what they want you to believe. The support is the because.
A strong answer can agree with the fact and still question the opinion. “Yes, the pencil costs two dollars. I still prefer the other one because it does not smudge.”
You do not have to be rude. “I see your point, and I think…” keeps the talk fair.
Watch out! A common mistake
A common mistake is to call every sentence you dislike an opinion, or every sentence you like a fact. Use the check test, not your feelings.
Try it
TRY ITFact and advert lab
Let’s practise
Work each one in your copybook. Open Hint if you are stuck, then open Show answer to check.
1. Is “Tobago became part of the twin-island state with Trinidad” a fact or an opinion? Say why.
Hint
Can it be checked in a book?
Show answer
It is a fact, because it can be checked.
2. Is “Steelpan is more beautiful than a guitar” a fact or an opinion?
Hint
Look for a judging word.
Show answer
It is an opinion. More beautiful is a judgement.
3. A sentence says the snack costs three dollars and is the tastiest. Which part is the fact?
Hint
Split the sentence.
Show answer
The price of three dollars is the fact.
4. What does a bandwagon try to make you do?
Hint
Think of the word everyone.
Show answer
It tries to make you follow the crowd.
5. Name one loaded word in “Only a silly fan would support them.”
Hint
Which word insults?
Show answer
Silly, or only. Either shows the push.
6. What question should you ask about an advert?
Hint
Think about the maker.
Show answer
What does the maker want me to do?
7. Give a fair answer to “This pencil costs two dollars, so it is the best.”
Hint
Agree with the checkable part.
Show answer
The pencil costs two dollars, but cost alone does not prove it is the best.
8. Why is “I think the story is funny” clearer than “The story is funny”?
Hint
Look at the opening words.
Show answer
I think shows that the speaker knows it is an opinion.
Quiz
Lesson quiz: 10 questions
Answer every question, then press Check my answers. Score 8 or more to earn the Fact Finder badge.
Fact, Opinion and Persuasion: worksheet
Name: ____________________ Date: ______________
Part A: Let’s practise
1. Is “Tobago became part of the twin-island state with Trinidad” a fact or an opinion? Say why.
2. Is “Steelpan is more beautiful than a guitar” a fact or an opinion?
3. A sentence says the snack costs three dollars and is the tastiest. Which part is the fact?
4. What does a bandwagon try to make you do?
5. Name one loaded word in “Only a silly fan would support them.”
6. What question should you ask about an advert?
7. Give a fair answer to “This pencil costs two dollars, so it is the best.”
8. Why is “I think the story is funny” clearer than “The story is funny”?
Part B: Quiz
1. Which sentence is a fact?
(a) Scarborough is the capital of Tobago.
(b) Doubles is the best breakfast.
(c) Blue is prettier than green.
(d) Homework is boring.
2. Which word often signals an opinion?
(a) best
(b) metre
(c) Tuesday
(d) page
3. An opinion is not allowed in school writing.
True or False? Circle one: True / False
4. Everyone is buying one, so you must too. This mainly uses which push?
(a) A bandwagon, following the crowd
(b) A map of the Caribbean
(c) A contents page
(d) A dictionary meaning
5. Which part of “The cap is red and the drink is the greatest” is a fact?
(a) The cap is red.
(b) The drink is the greatest.
(c) Both parts
(d) Neither part
6. Amazing, super and champions in an advert mostly do what?
(a) Praise without giving proof
(b) Tell you the volume of the bottle
(c) Give the shop address
(d) Teach a spelling rule
7. A fair reply to a price-plus-opinion sentence should do what?
(a) Accept the checkable part and question the opinion
(b) Shout that everything is an opinion
(c) Agree with every word
(d) Ignore the price
8. What is a claim in an argument?
(a) What the speaker wants you to believe
(b) A type of punctuation
(c) A silent letter
(d) A chapter title
9. If you were a real friend you would share your test answers. Why is this a weak argument?
(a) It shames you instead of giving a fair reason
(b) It states the capital of Tobago
(c) It measures a bottle
(d) It lists page numbers
10. Nine out of ten pupils picked this pencil. What should a careful reader still ask?
(a) Who was asked, and how were they counted?
(b) Whether pencils can be blue
(c) How to stand for a recitation
(d) Where Mayaro is
Answers (for the adult)
Part A
1. It is a fact, because it can be checked.
2. It is an opinion. More beautiful is a judgement.
3. The price of three dollars is the fact.
4. It tries to make you follow the crowd.
5. Silly, or only. Either shows the push.
6. What does the maker want me to do?
7. The pencil costs two dollars, but cost alone does not prove it is the best.
8. I think shows that the speaker knows it is an opinion.
Part B
1. (a) Scarborough is the capital of Tobago.
2. (a) best
3. False
4. (a) A bandwagon, following the crowd
5. (a) The cap is red.
6. (a) Praise without giving proof
7. (a) Accept the checkable part and question the opinion
8. (a) What the speaker wants you to believe
9. (a) It shames you instead of giving a fair reason
10. (a) Who was asked, and how were they counted?
Recap
- A fact can be checked. An opinion is a view.
- Split sentences that contain both.
- Loaded words and bandwagons try to push your feelings.
- Ask what the speaker wants you to do, and answer the fact and the opinion separately.
Words to know
- fact
- A statement that can be checked.
Example: The opening time of the gate is a fact. - opinion
- A view or feeling that people may not share.
Example: Best fruit is an opinion. - persuasion
- Trying to make someone think or act in a certain way.
Example: The poster used persuasion to sell juice. - loaded word
- A word that pushes a feeling instead of giving proof.
Example: Silly was a loaded word. - bandwagon
- A push to do something because everyone else seems to be doing it.
Example: The advert used a bandwagon.
Try it at home
- Collect three adverts from a newspaper, a screen or a shop window. Label each: fact, opinion, or both.
- With an adult, mute an advert and talk about what the pictures alone want you to feel.
- Write two sentences about your favourite lunch. Mark one as a fact and one as an opinion.
Test tips
Tips for class tests
- Circle judging words such as best, should and boring before you choose fact or opinion.
- If a sentence has two parts, you may need to say it is mixed.
- For advert questions, name the action the advert wants, not only the picture.
For parents and teachers
After this lesson, your child should be able to:
- Sort statements into facts and opinions and explain the test they used.
- Point to a loaded word or a bandwagon in a short advert.
- Give a polite answer that accepts a fact and questions an opinion.
Keep examples light: snacks, games, school rules. This lesson does not need political arguments. Praise a child who says “I am not sure, I would check.”
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Next: Creole and Standard English: Code-Switching
Course: Standard 3 English
Updates
2026/11/06
– Published this lesson and linked the previous and next lessons.
– First draft of this English lesson, with a hands-on lab, practice, quiz badge and worksheet.
Attributions to media used in this post:
No third-party pictures or recordings. The diagrams in the activity are original drawings for this lesson.
© 2026 Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved.