An
opinion is a statement that expresses a belief, idea, or emotion that is not provable. Opinions are subjective, meaning the veracity depends on the person's own perception rather than an objective truth. The validity of opinions cannot be proven one way or another but only expressed and defended.
A
fact is a statement that can be proven beyond any doubt. Facts are objective, meaning the veracity is independent of anyone's perception or beliefs. They can be verified and supported with indisputable evidence. Facts often rely on denotative language, or language with a specific, explicit, or direct meaning. The statement "water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit" uses denotative language and doesn't rely on any implications or gray areas.
When determining whether a statement is a fact or an opinion, the following two questions can be asked:
- Can the statement be proven to be either true or false?
- Does this statement refer to an author's personal beliefs, ideas, or feelings about the topic?