Facts or Opinions ?
Fact:
- Something that has actual existence.
- A piece of information presented as having objective reality.
Opinion:
- A view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter.
- Belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge.
Expressing Personal Opinions
According to me I think
In my view Personally
To me
From my point of view I believe that
To my mind
It seems to me that
My personal view is that In my experience
As far as I understand I cannot deny that
I am sure/certain/convinced that
Outlining Facts
The fact is that
The (main) point is that
This proves that
What it comes down to is that It is obvious that
It is certain that One can say that
It is clear that
There is no doubt that
READING EXERCISE: MIGRATION
Source:
Cox, K. (2004). English for Academic Purposes. Australia: Pearson, Cambridge Press, Unit 5
Reading 1:
«Stranded Refugees Lose Again…»
Reading 2:
«Weekly World Financial Indicators»
Aim: Understanding difference in opinion and facts.
Vocabulary for Reading Exercise
- Stranded:
- Determination:
- Asylum Seeker:
The land bordering a body of water.
To leave in a strange or an unfavorable place especially without funds or means to depart.
A judicial decision settling and ending a controversy.
Someone who leaves their own country, often for political reasons or because of war, and who travels to another country hoping that the government will protect them and allow them to live there.
Vocabulary for Reading Exercise
- Refugee:
- Humanitarian:
- Indictment:
A person who has escaped from their own country for political, religious, or economic reasons.
A person promoting human welfare and social reform.
A formal written statement framed by a prosecuting authority and found by a jury (such as a grand jury) charging a person with an offense
- Opposition:
An act of setting opposite or over against.
Vocabulary for Reading Exercise
- Interned:
- Tarnish:
- Immigrant:
To confine or impound especially during a war.
To dull or destroy the luster of by or as if by air, dust, or dirt.
A person who comes to a country to take up permanent residence.
- Exodus:
A mass departure.
Vocabulary for Reading Exercise
- Commotion:
- Financal:
- Budget Deficit:
A condition of civil unrest or insurrection.
Relating to money or how money is managed.
The difference between a government's income and how much it spends.
- Deterrent:
Serving to discourage, prevent, or inhibit.
Vocabulary for Reading Exercise
- Influx:
- Assailment:
- Entreaties:
The fact of a large number of people or things arriving at the same time.
To encounter, undertake, or confront energetically.
To plead with especially in order to persuade.
- Reform:
To put or change into an improved form or condition.
Discussion Questions about Reading
- What are the adjectives and noun groups to express opinion?
- What are the adjectives and noun groups to express facts?
- Do the writers attempt to influence the reader? How?
- What are the writers’ views about government policies about migration?
- Compare two reading articles. How they are different?
- What are the main points of the articles?
LISTENING EXERCISE: MIGRATION
Source:
«Migration as a Universal Human Right» Alvaro Huerta Youtube Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17fi3buAscY
Discussion Questions about Listening
- What is the main point of the speech?
- What are the examples used about immigration?
- What do you think about the speakers views about immigration?
