How do I separate facts from opinion?

Facts provided in support of a statement or argument should be evaluated for their reliability and usefulness. Evaluate these elements when determining the reliability and usefulness of facts:

Unbiased language used

Original source stated

Reliable sources used

Is provable

Recent information used

Information from several sources used

Facts and statements are related

It is particularly important to evaluate the source of facts. People are a reliable source when they are recognized as being knowledgeable about a topic. They present information in a balanced way. This means they explain how their facts can be used properly as well as how they cannot be used. For example, a scientist who discovers a new drug would explain the positive effects of the drug and the negative effects of the drug. It is also important to evaluate the motive of the person presenting the information. If the scientist for the company that produced the drug, the scientist might be more inclined to focus on the positive effects of the drug.