Step 1: Read a News Report and an Opinion Piece on the Same Topic. You may choose the topic.
• For example, here’s a news article about SantaCon, which you can read alongside the Opinion article https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/13/skills-practice-distinguishing-between-fact-and-opinion/ in the New York Times.
Step 2: Write a One Page Summary on the topic. You can conduct this same experiment with any topic that interests you: contrast the reporting on the front page of a big news event with a piece in the opinion pages (Op-Ed) that takes on the same topic.
You can find front page stories and Opinion stories in any online newspaper or printed newspaper.
• What are the differences in the two?
• What is the fact/opinion ratio in the news piece?
• Is there enough evidence one way or another to determine whether it is fact vs fiction?
Step 3: How will you use your knowledge of facts vs opinions to improve your critical thinking and communication in your career?