Question

The faculty at a large university have decided that they will enforce course prerequisites for student class registration.

For the following statements, identify whether they represent an opinion, a fact, or a reasoned argument

1. It won’t work

a. opinion

b. fact

c. reasoned argument

2.The courses at this university are divided into lower-division and upper-division

a. opinion

b. fact

c. reasoned argument

3.The faculty understand more about the content area than students do. Therefore, faculty should guide students in the order in which they take the courses.

a. opinion

b. fact

c. reasoned argument

4.Students should be able to design their own path through the curriculum

a. opinion

b. fact

c. reasoned argument

5.It is a good idea because it will communicate course content expectations clearly to students

a. opinion

b. fact

c. reasoned argument

6.It will mean that students will take too long to finish their degrees

a. opinion

b. fact

c. reasoned argument

7.Grades at another large university increased by 2% when prerequisite courses were enforced

a. opinion

b. fact

c. reasoned argument

8.It will add more administrative burden to faculty because students will petition to take courses out of sequence

a. opinion

b. fact

c. reasoned argument

9.During the pilot phase, the engineering faculty reported that they did not spend any more time than normal on administrative tasks related to course enrollment

a. opinion

b. fact

c. reasoned argument

10.Faculty don’t like spending time on administrative tasks related to course enrollment

a. opinion

b. fact

c. reasoned argument

Answer 1

Opinion- Opinion is a kind of view or judgement, may be on fact and knowledge or without appropriate facts and knowledge.

Fact- Fact is a statement which is known or proved.

Argument- Argument is a statement which shows the strong reason about view, argument can oppose or support facts, opinion.

Ans. 1- “The faculty at a large university have decided that they will enforce course prerequisites for student class registration”. Is a fact, because the decision has been taken before.

Ans. 2- “The courses at this university are divided into lower-division and upper-division” is also a fact which providing knowledge about course structure.

Ans.3-“The faculty understand more about the content area than students do. Therefore, faculty should guide students in the order in which they take the courses”. Is a reasoned argument, because in the statement the reason has given, why the faculty should guide students?

Ans.4- “Students should be able to design their own path through the curriculum” is an opinion which is based on directional approach.

Ans.5- “It is a good idea because it will communicate course content expectations clearly to students” is an opinion which is based on an idea, this idea can be right or wrong.

Ans.6- “It will mean that students will take too long to finish their degrees”. Is a fact because the prediction is based on experience and condition.

Ans.7- “Grades at another large university increased by 2% when prerequisite courses were enforced” this statement is a reasoned argument which is explaining about the reason behind increase grades.

Ans.8-“It will add more administrative burden to faculty because students will petition to take courses out of sequence” is fact which has strong knowledge and experience of future condition.

Ans.9- “During the pilot phase, the engineering faculty reported that they did not spend any more time than normal on administrative tasks related to course enrolment”. Is a fact of true statement behind pre-situation.

Ans.10- “Faculty don’t like spending time on administrative tasks related to course enrolment” is an opinion which is stating the possibility rather than true fact.