Fact or Opinion?

To get ahead in the United States, it is essential to understand the difference between fact and opinion. It is so important to the culture, that children in the US begin learning about this difference at a young age!

If that difference is difficult for you, maybe material from a chapter called "Evidence" from my book "What the United States Wants" can help:

"When I was teaching international college students about the United States, I often used ice cream to explain the difference. 'I think salted caramel ice cream is the best!' is an opinion.

I cannot prove that it is the best, and plenty of people will disagree with me. There is room for debate, with arguments for and against. Opinions about taste can lead to lively discussions, as I’m sure you have experienced, too.

Now let’s say I’m interested in what is in the salted caramel ice cream from a local creamery. I don’t want opinions about what might be in it. I want facts. An (invented) list of ingredients in the creamery’s salted caramel ice cream might read: “23% milk, 38% cream, 5% caramel…”

These facts can be proven through science-based analysis. There is nothing to debate here. The numbers are what they are, whether or not you like them or believe them.

See the difference?

Just for fun, let’s add another twist to this example. Look at this phrase:

'In a survey conducted by the creamery in 2019, when presented with the choice between salted caramel or coffee ice cream, 69% of respondents reported preferring salted caramel ice cream, 25% reported preferring coffee ice cream, and 4% said they don’t care for either.'

Is this a sentence about facts or opinions?

Although this sentence is about people’s tastes and preferences (opinions), the reported text is about facts! The phrase is a conclusion based on data and cannot be argued over. It can only be reproduced or challenged through a new survey."

What do you think? How do you usually express yourself in a professional setting? With more opinions or more facts?

Pro Tip: If you usually express yourself with opinions, start practicing using more facts (evidence) to express yourself. This will help you gain more professional credibility in the United States!

(This is an excerpt from my book "What the United States Wants: The Essential Roadmap for International Candidates Applying for Study, Work, and Visa Opportunities." To learn more or purchase the book, please click on the book title.)