Fact and opinion

One useful question to ask yourself when you start reading a non-fiction text is how much use the author has made of factfact: Something that is known or believed to be true or real; or something whose existence can be proved. and opinionopinion: A belief or judgement that is held by a person as the truth, but cannot be proved as true.. It's a basic difference, but one that examiners are interested in because it tells you whether a writer is trying to inform you or persuade you.

Recognising a fact from an opinion is not that difficult. But it isn't so much telling them apart that will get you the marks - it's whether you can say how the author has used fact and opinion.