What is the difference between a fact and an opinion?

The distinction between a fact and an opinion is crucial for critical thinking and comprehension. A fact is a statement that can be verified or proven true or false based on evidence. For instance, "Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level" is universally accepted and can be checked through experimentation.

Conversely, an opinion is a personal belief, judgment, or viewpoint that is not necessarily based on evidence and cannot be universally proven true or false. For example, saying "Vanilla is the best ice cream flavor" expresses a preference that may vary from person to person.

This understanding reinforces the ability to differentiate between objective statements and subjective interpretations, which is essential in navigating information and forming valid arguments.