fact & Opinion in a Resource

Choose a resource from your annotated bibliography that you want to analyze.

Download the source and open it through some form of editing software such as Adobe (you need to be able to highlight and annotate the document).

1. Read the resource carefully from beginning to end.
2. As you read, highlight statements that present facts. Facts are verifiable and can be proven true or false. Examples of facts include statistical data, historical events, and scientific findings. Use a highlighter or a digital highlighting tool to mark these statements so they stand out in the text. Highlight THREE or more examples.
3. Use a different color to highlight statements that express opinions or personal beliefs. Opinions are subjective and cannot be proven true or false. These may include expressions of preference, value judgments, or interpretations of evidence. By highlighting opinions separately, you can distinguish them from factual information and evaluate how they influence the author’s argument or perspective. Highlight THREE or more examples.
4. Identify any instances where the author makes judgments or evaluations about a topic or issue, and highlight in a third color at least TWO quotes that demonstrate these judgments. Judgments involve the author’s interpretation or assessment of information, often indicating their stance on a particular topic. Pay attention to the author’s language because it provides evidence of their evaluative stance. Consider the context of these judgments and how they contribute to the overall argument or thesis of the resource.

Finally, critically analyze the resource for bias. Look for any signs that the author may have a particular agenda, perspective, or prejudice that could influence their presentation of information. Make notes or annotate sections where bias may be present, indicating how the author’s background, beliefs, or affiliations might shape their portrayal of the topic. Pay attention to language choices, selective use of evidence, and the portrayal of opposing viewpoints. Consider how bias impacts the credibility and objectivity of the resource, and reflect on how it may influence your own interpretation of the information presented.