ELC500

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC READING

 FACTS
Information that can be proven as true

Verified by
Research, observation, experimentation, experience, etc

Information that can be disproved is incorrect fact

 OPINION
Information that CANNOT be proven or disproved

Represents judgment or belief

Judgment words
words that allow individual interpretation

Word OR phrase that indicates opinion

In our opinion, seems, believe, think, feel, perhaps, maybe, etc

Word OR phrase that indicates the future

Will, would, shall, should, going to, in the future, soon
 EXPLAINING SUPPORTING DETAILS

Examples
S
U Explanations
P
Descriptions NORMALLY
P
WEAK SUPPORT
O Personal opinion
R
Facts/ Personal
T observation
opinions
I
N Statistics
G
Research
findings NORMALLY
D STRONG SUPPORT
Expert testimony
E
T Experiments
A Observation
I
L Expert opinion
S
Historical data
 WHY ARE THEY FACTS?
According to the survey, 48.3% of adults are Survey. It can be
heavy smokers. verified

In 2013, 67% of the secondary students smoke Statistic. It can be

cigarettes. verified

Based on the research, it was found that 23% of Research finding.

the respondents did not smoke cigarette. It can be verified

The dentist, Dr Johnson, said that children Expert opinion. It

normally forget to brush their teeth at night. can be verified
 WHY IS THIS AN OPINION?

Statement
The new book by Salina Ibrahim is very
interesting.
very interesting is a judgment word.
 WHY IS THIS AN OPINION?

Statement
Perhaps, the audience did not enjoy the
movie because they seemed bored.
Perhaps indicates an opinion.
 WHY IS THIS AN OPINION?

Statement
Her mother said that Siti ought to rest
because she was ill.
ought to indicates a suggestion/advice.
 WHY IS THIS AN OPINION?

Statement
The accident might have been caused by
the slippery road.
might have been caused is a prediction.
 WHY IS THIS AN OPINION?

Statement
The players will be leaving for Scotland
next week to play in a tournament.
will be leaving indicates the future.