Last chapter, you learned that a column shares your opinion — your personal view on a topic — backed up with reasons.
You also learned the first big rule: facts and opinions are not the same thing.
But here's the tricky part.
Sometimes a sentence sounds like a fact. But it isn't one.
And sometimes an opinion feels so true that you start treating it like a fact. That's where a lot of student columnists make mistakes.
So in this chapter, you're going to slow down and really learn the difference.
Because a strong column depends on it.
Reliable means you can count on it. It doesn't change depending on who's telling you.
"Typhoon Carina made landfall in Northern Luzon in July 2024."
"Someone in my class said we might get a new school principal soon."
That typhoon happened. It's in the news. You can look it up. Anyone who checks will find the same answer — that's reliable. But who said the principal news? Can you confirm it? Until you can check it — it's not a fact you can use in your column.
A verifiable detail is a fact you can check and confirm. Verifiable means you can prove it — with numbers, dates, names, or records.
Before you use any fact in your column, check it. That means you don't just hear something and write it down. You confirm it — meaning you make sure it's actually true. Here are three simple ways to check information.
Opinions are different from facts because they depend on the person. Two students can read the same school rule and have completely different reactions.
"The no-phones policy is fair. It helps students focus."
"The no-phones policy is too strict. Students should be trusted."
Both are opinions. Both are real views. Neither can be proven right or wrong with numbers. That's what makes them opinions — not facts.
Not all opinions are worth reading. A strong opinion is clear, specific, and backed up with a reason. A weak opinion is vague, empty, or just repeats the same thing twice.
You already learned this in Chapter 1. But it's worth saying again because it's that important. A respectful opinion focuses on the issue — not the person. When you write a column, you're not there to embarrass anyone. You're there to make your school or community better.
"Our class adviser is useless and doesn't know what she's doing."
"Our class needs more guidance on the science project. Many students are confused about the requirements."
Same concern. Very different approach. The second version is something a teacher can actually act on. The first just hurts feelings.
Here's the truth about opinions: they don't stand on their own. An opinion without a fact behind it is just a feeling. And feelings alone don't persuade — meaning they don't convince — anyone. But when you pair your opinion with a real fact? Now you have an argument.
"The school needs more books in the library."
"The school needs more books in the library. Right now, there are only 200 books for 600 students — that's less than one book for every three students."
See how the fact makes the opinion so much stronger? Suddenly the reader can't argue with you. The numbers say it all. That's the power of pairing opinions with facts.
Proof is a specific detail that supports your opinion. Proof can be a number, a date, a name, an observation, or a direct example. Here's how to add proof to a weak opinion.
An unsupported claim is an opinion with no proof behind it. Unsupported claims are easy to spot. They sound big. But they have nothing behind them.
"All students hate the new uniform design."
"In an informal survey of 30 classmates, 24 said they preferred the old uniform design because it was cooler in hot weather."
The second sentence doesn't just claim something. It shows the proof. It names a number. It gives a reason. That's the difference between claiming and arguing. Column writers don't just claim. They argue — and they back it up.
A rumor is something people say without knowing if it's actually true. Gossip is talk — usually about a person — that's shared without checking if it's real or fair. Both are dangerous in column writing. Very dangerous. If you write a rumor in your column, and it turns out to be false, you've done real damage.
"I heard the principal is getting fired next month."
"According to the official memorandum posted on the Mabuhay Elementary bulletin board on April 10, Principal Reyes will retire at the end of the school year."
The second version has a source — meaning it says where the information came from. It names a date. It can be checked. That's the version that belongs in a column.
Exaggeration means stretching the truth to make your point sound bigger or more dramatic. Some exaggeration is fine in everyday talking. In journalism — even opinion journalism — it's a problem. Exaggeration makes your column sound emotional and untrustworthy.
"The canteen food is so bad it makes everyone sick every single day."
"Several students have complained that the canteen rice is often undercooked, making it hard to eat."
Readers can tell when you're stretching the truth. And once they sense it, they stop trusting your column.
Apply what you learned. Work through the activities below step by step.
| What to Check | Done ✅ | Try Again 🔄 |
|---|---|---|
| My supporting detail is a fact — not another opinion | ☐ | ☐ |
| My fact is specific — it has a number, observation, or name | ☐ | ☐ |
| My stronger version connects the opinion and the fact clearly | ☐ | ☐ |
| My writing is respectful — no attacks on any person | ☐ | ☐ |
Answers will differ for each student. Use the rubric above or ask your teacher for help.
Read each statement. Decide — is it TRUE or FALSE?