How to Tell Fact from Opinion
The Pony Express
Clinging to the backs of galloping horses, Pony Express riders risked their lives to carry messages across the country. When you read about events in story such as the Pony Express, you learn facts about people, places, and events. A fact is a true statement. It can be proved or checked. Names, dates, places, and events are facts. Learning how to find the facts in a reading can help you understand events in history.
before the U.S. Postal Service was founded, mail delivery took weks or even months. Letters would have to be carried on slow-moving wagons or boats, and even important messages could not be sent quickly over long distances. The Pony Express was started to solve these problems. Mail carriers raced between stations along the 2,000 mile route between East d West, changing horses every 25 miles. With riders traveling about 200 miles per day at top speed, letters could be delivered in ten days. Although ten days seems like a long time, the Pony Express was considered rush delivery in the year 1860.
Look for facts in the following paragraph(69 page in Using Social Studies of SRA series)
In 1860 and 1861, the Pony Express delivered mail. Riders on horseback carried letters between Saint Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California. The two cities are about 2,000 miles apart. Each mail carrier rode for almost 200 miles a day. Riders changed horses every 25 miles at relay stations. Some Pony Express riders, such as Bill Cody and Johnny Fry, became famous. Although it operated for only 19 months, the Pony Express is an important part of U.S. history.
TIP: If you could do research to confirm the truth of a statement, it is a fact.
Fact: In 1860 and 1861, the Pony Express delivered mail.
Fact: Riders carried mail between Saint Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California.
STEPS IN Telling Fact from Opinion
When you read about history, you may also read people's opinions. An opinion is a statement of what someone believes or feels. Opinions are neither true nor false. You cannot check or prove an opinion. Look at these opinions from a customer of the Pony Express. Notice how the opinions about the Pony Express are different from the facts.
"Mail delivered by boat or wagon takes much too long to go from Saint Joseph to Sacramento. Even though it costs $5 for each letter, it is better to use the Pony Express. I think ten days is long enough to have to wait for mail. It seems like the riders are young and strong enough to ride more than 200 miles a day."
Opinion: "...it is better to use the Pony Express."
Opinion: "I think ten days is long enough to have to wait for mail."
Use the following steps to help you tell fact from opinion.
1. Look for Facts
* Remember that facts do not change. Facts are true no matter who is stating them.
* Names of places sometimes help you find facts.
Riders carried mail from Saint Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California.
* Facts may be about people. Look for people's names to help find these facts.
Some Pony Express riders, such as Bill Cody and Johnny Fry, became famous.
* Make sure the statement can be checked or proved.
Riders changed horses at relay stations. Yes, it can be checked in an encyclopedia.
2. Look for Opinion
Remember that opinions cannot be proven true or false. Opinions are a person's feelings or beliefs.
Certain words give clues that a statement may be an opinion. Look for clue words such as think, believe, good , better, best, wonderful, bad, worst, terrible, more, most, seems, and should.
"It seems like the riders are young and strong enough to ride more than 200 miles a day."
"I think then days is long enough to have to wait for mail."
3. Compare and Contrast Facts and Opinions
When you read, paragraphs may include both facts and opinions. It may help to list the facts and opinions in a chart.
Facts
Most Pony Express riders were teenage boys.
The riders changed horses every 25 miles.
The Pony Express ended after 19 months.
Opinions
The Pony Express should have hired only adult riders.
I think a fast, 25-mile ride is too hard on a horse.
It is too bad the Pony Express ended so soon.