Help Your Students to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion

Understanding the difference between fact and opinion is a key part of reading comprehension. One might even say it is a key life skill!

This printable comprehension activity uses a fun and informative passage about zebras to help students distinguish between fact and opinion in a meaningful context. The resource includes a carefully written passage, comprehension activities and an answer sheet to support busy teachers. 

Whether you’re introducing facts and opinions for the first time or reviewing them as part of a reading skills unit, this resource will save you planning time while boosting student engagement.

This resource downloads as a quick-print PDF or editable Google Slides file. Read on for tips on teaching facts and opinions to your students!

How to Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion: Top Teaching Tips

Teaching students to distinguish between fact and opinion can sometimes be tricky, especially if you’re new to the classroom. Here are a few practical tips to help make your lessons more effective and engaging:

• Start with clear definitions – Make sure your students understand that facts can be proven, while opinions express someone’s personal beliefs or feelings.
• Use real-world examples – Use authentic texts such as headlines, social media posts or advertisements as real-world examples of facts and opinions.
• Create anchor charts – Work with your students to create visual aids that compare facts and opinions. These can be displayed in the classroom for ongoing reference.
• Sort the statements – Take advantage of as many opportunities as possible to discuss, analyze and sort fact and opinion statements.
• Encourage justification and reasoning – When asking students to distinguish between facts and opinions, be sure to have them justify their choices.

Download to Start Distinguishing Between Fact and Opinion

Use the Download button above to access your preferred version of this fact or opinion resource. (Note: You will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides template on your personal drive before accessing it.)

As this resource contains answer sheets, you may wish to print one copy only, then remove the answer sheet before making further copies.

Samantha Rose, a teacher in Florida and a Teach Starter collaborator, contributed to this resource.

More Resources for Teaching Fact and Opinion

Click below to browse more teacher-created, curriculum-aligned resources to use when teaching your students how to distinguish between facts and opinions.

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Digital Fact or Opinion Game

Engage your class with this digital fact or opinion game where students move around the classroom to classify statements as facts or opinions.

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Fact or Opinion Worksheet Pack

Boost critical thinking skills with this fact or opinion worksheet pack featuring five engaging worksheets where students color-code fact and opinion sentences.

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Fact or Opinion Questions Task Cards

Download these multiple-choice fact or opinion questions designed to build critical thinking skills and improve comprehension.