Open in App
Log In Start studying!

Select your language

Suggested languages for you:
Vaia - The all-in-one study app.
4.8 • +11k Ratings
More than 3 Million Downloads
Free
|
|
Fact

The internet is full of an overwhelming amount of information. Some of the information is trustworthy, and some of it is not. A lot of websites are full of people voicing their opinions but not making any fact-based arguments. When writers need to craft a credible Argument or a detailed research paper, it can be difficult to know where to start finding trustworthy facts. Understanding what facts are, how to cite them, and how they differ from opinions and truths is a good place to start.

Content verified by subject matter experts
Free Vaia App with over 20 million students
Mockup Schule

Explore our app and discover over 50 million learning materials for free.

Illustration

Lerne mit deinen Freunden und bleibe auf dem richtigen Kurs mit deinen persönlichen Lernstatistiken

Jetzt kostenlos anmelden

Nie wieder prokastinieren mit unseren Lernerinnerungen.

Jetzt kostenlos anmelden
Illustration

The internet is full of an overwhelming amount of information. Some of the information is trustworthy, and some of it is not. A lot of websites are full of people voicing their opinions but not making any fact-based arguments. When writers need to craft a credible Argument or a detailed research paper, it can be difficult to know where to start finding trustworthy facts. Understanding what facts are, how to cite them, and how they differ from opinions and truths is a good place to start.

Fact, internet, Vaia

Fig. 1 - With so much information on the internet, it can be hard to determine fact from fiction.

Definition of Fact

A fact is a real and indisputable piece of information. For something to be considered a fact, it has to be proven.

A fact is a Statement that is verifiably and objectively real.

Writers use facts all of the time to enhance their writing. When writers include facts, they show the reader their knowledge of the topic. It is particularly effective for writers to use facts when making an Argument, as facts can help prove the main points to their readers.

For example, imagine a writer is writing an essay in which they want to convince the reader to recycle more. The writer can say that recycling is important—but that is not enough information to convince someone. Instead, they need to explain why recycling is important. To effectively make this point, it is helpful to use facts about the power of recycling.

For example, if they researched and referenced statistical facts about how recycling addresses global warming, they would show the reader that recycling is important because it makes a difference in cleaning up the planet.

Characteristics of Facts

With so much information on the internet, people must understand how to identify credible facts and differentiate them from false information. There are several characteristics of facts that can help writers identify facts. For instance:

  • A fact is something real.

  • A fact is proven to be correct.

  • A fact is based on indisputable experience or observation.

When attempting to discern if a Statement is a fact or false information, readers can ask themselves the following questions:

  • Is the source of this claim trustworthy?

  • If I research this claim can I find Evidence?

  • Does this claim reflect personal feelings or bias?

Sometimes it can be difficult to determine if a source is trustworthy. Generally, if the URL of a source on the web ends in .org, .edu, or .gov it can generally be assumed to be trustworthy. Additionally, the information is trustworthy if a website cites a credible source. In contrast, claims found on forums, social media sites, or other informal web pages that do not cite sources should be fact-checked.

Examples of Fact

There are several examples of facts. Often when people think about facts, they think about statistics or math. Facts can be mathematic, but facts can also be scientific, historical, or merely observed. For instance, people often ask others to tell them fun facts about themselves!

Additionally, the following statements are all examples of facts:

  • The boiling point of water is 212 degrees Fahrenheit or 100 degrees Celsius.

  • 2 + 2 = 4

  • George Washington was the first president of the United States of America.

  • This sentence contains five words.

  • This article is about facts.

Note that all of the above statements are verifiably true. Without Evidence, however, they could not be considered facts.

Fact-Checking

When writing an academic paper, speech, or non-fiction, writers must fact-check their work. Fact-checking is the process of verifying that information is factual. When writers fact-check their work, they ensure they are writing trustworthy, credible information.

Fact, Fact-Checking, Vaia Fig. 2 - Fact-checking and referencing ensure credible writing.

Fact-checking is important no matter the circumstances, but it is especially important in politics. When people run for political offices, like the president of the United States, journalists fact-check what they say in their speeches and debates. If the candidates make up information or share false information, journalists tell the public, and the news can hurt the candidates’ credibility. Fact-checking what influential people say helps hold them accountable to the people they serve and helps to ensure a free, honest society.

Referencing

When writers use facts from other sources in their writing, they are required to cite the sources of those facts. Citing the sources of facts helps writers maintain credibility, helps readers find more information on a topic, and ensures writers avoid plagiarism—the act of stealing another's work and passing it off as their own. To properly cite a source, the writer should note the formatting guidelines of the work, such as MLA and APA, and structure the references according to the style guide.

For example, the APA style guide requires writers to put references at the end of every sentence with outside information and include the author's last name and the year of publication. The APA guide also requires writers to include an alphabetized list of all references at the end of their paper.

Reference style guides are updated periodically. When writing references, writers should always double-check that they are using the most recent formatting guidelines for the style guide.

Facts vs Opinions

The difference between facts and opinions is essential, especially when working to support an argument in an essay. Facts are statements that can be objectively proven, while opinions reflect personal and subjective feelings.

For instance, when writing a literary analysis essay, a writer might be tempted to write something like:

The author did an awesome job writing about the main character."

However, this statement would be an Opinion because the idea that the author's job was "awesome" is subjective and may vary depending on the reader. Instead, writers writing academic essays need to stick to facts to support their argument. For instance, a writer should instead state an example of a fact:

The author used several metaphors to describe the main character effectively."

This would be a fact because the writer would be able to point out metaphors in the text that prove this.

Fact, facts versus opinions, Vaia

Fig. 3 - It is important to know the difference between fact and Opinion. Facts can be supported with evidence while opinions reflect personal feelings.

Differences Between Fact and Truth

The words "fact" and "truth" are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. Facts have a real or logical form. This means you cannot use "fact" to refer to people's beliefs and feelings about the world.

The word "truth" refers to things that accord with facts; however, it can also refer to people's feelings. For example, take people who practice a particular religion. They believe the teachings of that religion to be the truth. However, those teachings cannot be fact, as there is no indisputable evidence that they are real.

Remember: facts have to be proven.

Fact - Key Takeaways

  • A fact is a statement that is verifiably real. A fact is different from an opinion because facts can be proven, while opinions reflect personal feelings.
  • An example of a fact is that Alaska and Wisconsin are two of seven states in the United States with the most amount of lakes.
  • "Fact" is different from "truth" because truth takes into account personal thoughts that are not indisputable.
  • Writers use facts to support their arguments, make their writing credible, and provide readers with other sources of information.
  • Writers should always fact-check their information to ensure their writing is trustworthy.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fact

The oldest person alive is currently 118 years old!

A fact is a statement that is verifiably real.

An example of a fact is that George Washington was the first president of the United States of America. 

The characteristics of a fact involve how facts are statements that are real. They are based on evidence, experience, or observation. They can be proven. 

Facts are based on verifiable evidence while truth can also refer to personal beliefs. 

Final Fact Quiz

Fact Quiz - Teste dein Wissen

Question

What is a fact?

Show answer

Answer

A statement that is verifiably real

Show question

Question

What is the difference between fact and opinion?


Show answer

Answer

Facts can be proven while opinions reflect personal feelings. 

Show question

Question

Is this a fact or an opinion? "The author did an excellent job describing the protagonist’s sadness." 


Show answer

Answer

Opinion. The idea that the author did an "excellent" job is based on the writer's personal feelings. 

Show question

Question

True or False. Fact is the same thing as truth.


Show answer

Answer

False. A fact is something that is verifiably real, while truth can refer to something that is a belief or a feeling that is not completely verifiable. 

Show question

Question

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a fact?


Show answer

Answer

Facts always include statistics. 

Show question

Question

What is fact-checking?

Show answer

Answer

Fact-checking is the process of verifying that information is factual.

Show question

Question

What should writers always do when they use facts?

Show answer

Answer

Reference the source of the fact. 

Show question

Question

What question can readers ask to investigate if a fact is credible?

Show answer

Answer

If I research this claim can I find evidence? 

Show question

Question

Is this a fact or an opinion? "Beethoven was a musician."

Show answer

Answer

Fact. This is a verifiable piece of historical information. It is not based on personal feelings.

Show question

Question

Why do writers use facts?

Show answer

Answer

All of the above. 

Show question

Question

A fact is a kind of statement.

Show answer

Answer

True

Show question

Question

Facts don't help most arguments.

Show answer

Answer

False

Show question

Question

Facts do not advance learning in many non-science topics.

Show answer

Answer

False

Show question

Question

Facts support main and secondary points.

Show answer

Answer

True

Show question

Question

Which can a fact not be?

Show answer

Answer

False

Show question

Question

How can you discover a fact?

Show answer

Answer

Experience

Show question

Question

A fact is:

Show answer

Answer

Something real

Show question

Question

Which is not the best ending for a trustworthy website?

Show answer

Answer

.com

Show question

Question

Which is not a fact?

Show answer

Answer

George Washington was the first president of the United States of America. 

Show question

Question

Where is fact-checking especially important?

Show answer

Answer

Politics.

Show question

Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

What is a fact?

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a fact?

What should writers always do when they use facts?

Next

Flashcards in Fact20

Start learning

What is a fact?

A statement that is verifiably real

What is the difference between fact and opinion?


Facts can be proven while opinions reflect personal feelings. 

Is this a fact or an opinion? "The author did an excellent job describing the protagonist’s sadness." 


Opinion. The idea that the author did an "excellent" job is based on the writer's personal feelings. 

True or False. Fact is the same thing as truth.


False. A fact is something that is verifiably real, while truth can refer to something that is a belief or a feeling that is not completely verifiable. 

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a fact?


Facts always include statistics. 

What is fact-checking?

Fact-checking is the process of verifying that information is factual.

Join over 22 million students in learning with our Vaia App

The first learning app that truly has everything you need to ace your exams in one place

  • Flashcards & Quizzes
  • AI Study Assistant
  • Study Planner
  • Mock-Exams
  • Smart Note-Taking
Join over 22 million students in learning with our Vaia App Join over 22 million students in learning with our Vaia App

Discover the right content for your subjects

Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.

Start learning with Vaia, the only learning app you need.

Sign up now for free
Illustration