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aiMOOC

ABI - Fact, interpretation and opinion unterscheiden

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ABI - Fact, interpretation and opinion unterscheiden

Mini-description: Distinguish sourced fact, attributed claim, interpretation and personal opinion and transfer the distinction consistently into your own English texts. Target group: Basisfach (BF) and Leistungsfach (LF), Kursstufe Baden-Württemberg. English first; German support only where it unlocks understanding. Level: mainly B2, with selected C1-oriented moves.

Important: All practice data in this aiMOOC are fictional. Do not upload personal data, recordings or school documents. Recordings are voluntary and should stay private unless your teacher has agreed otherwise. External AI tools are never required.

Media warm-up: While watching, write down one example of a fact, one example of an opinion and one question you would ask before trusting a news claim.

Einleitung

Good analytical writing separates what can be checked, what somebody says, what the evidence may mean and what you personally think. This distinction makes summaries more accurate, analyses more convincing and comments more transparent.

A useful four-part model is:

Category	Core question	Typical English wording	Kurzhilfe Deutsch
Sourced fact	What can be checked against named evidence?	According to the report..., The data show...	überprüfbare, belegte Angabe
Attributed claim	Who says or argues this?	X states..., X argues..., X claims...	Aussage einer Person/Quelle, nicht automatisch wahr
Interpretation	What may the evidence mean?	This suggests..., This may indicate..., One possible explanation is...	begründete Deutung
Personal opinion	What do I personally judge, prefer or recommend?	In my view..., I would argue..., I believe...	eigene Wertung/Stellungnahme

Key distinction: A sentence can be factually correct about the act of saying something without making the quoted content true. “The librarian stated that longer hours caused the increase” may be a sourced fact about what the librarian said; the causal claim itself still needs evidence.

I-can-Ziele

After this aiMOOC, you can say:

I can identify sourced facts and check whether the source is named and traceable.
I can attribute claims without presenting them as established facts.
I can mark interpretations with evidence and appropriate uncertainty.
I can separate personal opinion from analysis.
I can transfer the distinction into speaking, mediation and writing.

Vorwissen aktivieren

Classify these four sentences before reading further. Use only the labels sourced fact – attributed claim – interpretation – personal opinion.

Fictional context: Greenford Sixth Form library.

“The September log records 1,240 visits.”
“The head librarian says that evening opening hours caused the increase.”
“The rise may suggest that access outside lesson time matters to students.”
“I think the library should receive more funding.”

Keep your first answers. You will revisit them in the feedback section.

Visualisierung: From source to stance

1. SOURCE	2. CLAIM	3. INTERPRETATION	4. OPINION
Who produced the information?	What exactly is being asserted?	What can reasonably be inferred?	What do I personally evaluate or recommend?
name + date + evidence	attribute the speaker/writer	connect evidence and meaning	make your own stance visible

Listening and Viewing

Task A – first viewing: Note three checks that help you evaluate a claim.

Task B – second viewing: Choose one claim mentioned in the video and write two sentences:

one sentence that reports the claim with clear attribution;
one sentence that explains what further evidence you would need before treating it as established.

LF extension: Compare the source-checking strategy in this video with the first one. Identify one shared principle and one difference in emphasis. Do not summarize the whole video.

Reading

Fictional practice text – Greenford Sixth Form Library

The school library log records 860 visits in August and 1,240 visits in September. A voluntary survey completed by 120 students found that 68 respondents named “a quiet place to work” as their main reason for using the library. The head librarian said the increase was caused by the new evening opening hours. A student editorial described the library as “the best investment the school has made this year”. The available figures show an increase in recorded visits, but they do not by themselves establish why the increase occurred.

Reading focus:

Which sentence contains a sourced fact?
Which sentence reports an attributed claim?
Which sentence contains an evaluative opinion?
Which sentence models cautious interpretation?
What extra information would you need before making a causal statement?

Kontextwortschatz und Wortbildung

Verb / base	Noun	Adjective / useful form	Example
verify	verification	verifiable	a verifiable figure
interpret	interpretation	interpretive	an interpretive claim
attribute	attribution	attributed	an attributed statement
rely	reliability	reliable	a reliable source
corroborate	corroboration	corroborated	corroborated by a second source
bias	bias	biased	potentially biased wording

Useful nuance: claim can sound more doubtful than state or report. Choose reporting verbs according to the source and your purpose, not as decoration.

Analyse

Use this compact check when analysing a sentence:

Source: Is the source named, current and traceable?
Evidence: What direct support is actually provided?
Inference: Does the wording go beyond the evidence?
Stance: Is the writer reporting, interpreting or personally evaluating?

Strong analytical wording: “The survey shows that 68 of 120 respondents selected one option, but it does not establish why all students use the library. The librarian attributes the increase to evening opening, while the available data only suggest that the two developments may be related.”

Speaking

Work in pairs. Choose two sentences from the fictional library example.

Round 1: Name the category and justify it in one sentence.

Round 2: Reformulate the sentence so that its status becomes unmistakable.

Round 3: Challenge your partner with: “What evidence would change your classification?”

Recording is optional. If you record, keep the file private unless sharing has been agreed in advance.

Writing

BF – structured task: Write 120–160 words about the fictional library data. Include one sourced fact, one attributed claim, one interpretation and one personal opinion. Use the sentence frames below.

LF – extended task: Write 220–300 words that connect the log, survey, librarian statement and editorial. Distinguish evidence from claims, evaluate one limitation, offer one alternative interpretation and finish with a clearly marked personal judgement.

Sentence frames:

Function	Frame
sourced fact	According to ..., ...
attribution	X states / argues / reports that ...
interpretation	This may suggest / indicate that ...
limitation	However, the evidence does not establish ...
personal opinion	In my view, ... because ...

Mediation

Mediation also requires accurate status markers.

German input: „Die Schulleitung hält die Maßnahme für erfolgreich.“

Accurate English mediation: “The school management considers the measure successful.”

Inaccurate transfer: “The measure was successful.”

The second version turns an attributed evaluation into an asserted fact.

KI, Quellen und Eigenständigkeit

AI-generated wording can sound confident even when a source is missing, misquoted or invented. If AI use is permitted in your course, treat every factual statement and every reference as something to verify independently. Do not submit an AI-generated replacement essay.

Safe workflow: work from teacher-provided or self-found sources, keep personal data out of external tools, mark assistance when required, and check quotations, dates, authors, titles and links against the original source.

No task in this aiMOOC requires an external AI service.

Hilfen

English first: Use context, word formation, diagrams and an English learner’s dictionary before switching to German support.

BF support: Work with one short source at a time, use the four labels visibly and begin with sentence frames.

LF support: Compare several sources, distinguish evidence quality, test alternative interpretations and vary attribution verbs precisely.

Feedback

Before submitting a paragraph, check:

Have I named the source for every checkable figure or quotation?
Have I made it clear who owns each claim?
Have I marked interpretation with evidence rather than certainty?
Have I made personal judgement visibly personal?
Have I avoided turning “X says” into “X is right”?
Could a reader trace my evidence?

Fehleranalyse

Error 1: “Experts say that...” – This is attribution, but weak attribution if no experts are named.

Error 2: “The study proves that...” – Often too strong. Ask whether the study really establishes causation or only an association.

Error 3: “I think the data show...” – The phrase “I think” does not automatically make the sentence a pure opinion; it may still be an interpretation of evidence.

Error 4: “According to the website...” – Naming a source does not guarantee that the content is true. Sourcing makes verification possible; it does not replace verification.

Differenzierung BF/LF

Basisfach	Leistungsfach
one manageable source or short source set	broader source set and more independent linking
explicit labels and sentence frames	precise reporting verbs and nuanced hedging
clear distinction between evidence, claim and opinion	evaluation of evidence quality and competing interpretations
guided AFB II with selected transfer	stronger AFB II/III focus and independent transfer
B2-oriented production	B2 with selected C1-oriented precision, without artificial complexity

Abi-Check Baden-Württemberg

Stand: 03.10.2026. For the current Abitur 2027 at the allgemein bildendes Gymnasium in Baden-Württemberg, the official Facherlass for English requires work with unknown texts and includes summary, analysis and a personal statement or creative writing task in the Leistungsfach. Across the Basisfach course, listening, reading, analysis, mediation and different writing tasks must be covered. The official Bildungsplan distinguishes BF and LF by complexity, breadth, depth and independence; the course target is B2, in parts C1.

This aiMOOC trains a cross-cutting text and media competence that can be applied to the 2027 focus topic and to other course topics. Learners from another examination cohort must check the current official documents again.

Official check:

The 2026 revised English curriculum is being phased in from younger year groups; it does not replace the applicable upper-secondary framework for the current 2027 cohort.

Transfer und Folgekurs

Transfer the four-way distinction to:

Recommended next step: ABI - Quellen bewerten und Argumente gewichten.

Interaktive Aufgaben

Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen

Which sentence is a sourced fact in the fictional library context? (According to the September log, 1,240 visits were recorded.) (!The librarian believes the library is more popular now.) (!The increase may show that students value quiet study space.) (!I think the library deserves more funding.)

Which wording best marks an attributed claim? (The head librarian states that evening opening hours caused the increase.) (!Evening opening hours caused the increase.) (!The increase definitely proves the policy worked.) (!I personally prefer evening opening hours.)

Which phrase most clearly introduces an interpretation? (This may suggest that access outside lesson time matters.) (!The log records 1,240 visits.) (!The librarian said this yesterday.) (!I love the new opening hours.)

Which sentence is a personal opinion? (In my view, the school should invest more in the library.) (!The survey included 120 respondents.) (!The librarian argues that longer hours caused the increase.) (!The figures may indicate growing use.)

What does a named source mainly allow you to do? (Check and trace the evidence.) (!Assume every statement is true.) (!Ignore the date of publication.) (!Treat interpretation as fact.)

Why is “The librarian says X” different from “X is true”? (The first reports who made the claim without automatically endorsing it.) (!The first sentence is always a personal opinion.) (!The second sentence is automatically sourced.) (!There is no meaningful difference.)

Which phrase is the best cautious alternative to “The data prove”? (The data may indicate.) (!The data obviously prove.) (!Everyone knows.) (!I feel that.)

What is the main problem with “Experts say that...” when no experts are named? (The attribution is too vague to verify easily.) (!It is automatically false.) (!It is always an interpretation.) (!It is a complete citation.)

Which move belongs to strong analysis? (Link evidence to an interpretation and show its limits.) (!Replace evidence with personal preference.) (!Treat every quotation as proof.) (!Use confident language regardless of support.)

What should you do with an AI-generated source reference? (Verify it against the original source before using it.) (!Assume it is accurate if it looks academic.) (!Copy it without checking.) (!Use it as evidence even if the source cannot be found.)

Memory

Sourced fact	Checkable statement linked to named evidence
Attributed claim	Statement clearly assigned to a speaker or source
Interpretation	Evidence-based explanation or inference
Personal opinion	Writer’s own judgement or preference
Hedging	Language that marks limits or uncertainty
Corroboration	Support from an independent additional source

Drag and Drop

Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu.	Thema
Sourced fact	Can be checked against named evidence
Attributed claim	Reports what another person or source says
Interpretation	Explains what evidence may mean
Personal opinion	Expresses the writer’s own judgement
Hedging	Reduces unjustified certainty

Kreuzworträtsel

Evidence	What supports a factual or interpretive statement?
Attribution	What names the person or source behind a claim?
Interpretation	What explains what evidence may mean?
Opinion	What expresses a personal judgement?
Source	What should be traceable behind a factual statement?
Verification	What process checks whether information is accurate?

LearningApps

Lückentext

Offene Aufgaben

Leicht

Vier Farben: Markiere in einem kurzen selbst gewählten Sachtext vier Sätze als sourced fact, attributed claim, interpretation oder personal opinion.
Attribution repair: Schreibe fünf vage Sätze wie “People say...” so um, dass klar wird, wer die Aussage macht.
Sentence frames: Formuliere zu einem fiktiven Datensatz je einen Satz mit “According to...”, “X states...”, “This may suggest...” und “In my view...”.
Private speaking drill: Erkläre einer Partnerperson in 60 Sekunden den Unterschied zwischen attributed claim und interpretation; eine Aufnahme ist nicht nötig.

Standard

Source check: Prüfe einen frei zugänglichen englischen Sachtext auf Quelle, Datum, Belege und sprachliche Übertreibung.
Mini commentary: Schreibe 150–180 Wörter zu einem fiktiven Schuldatensatz und kennzeichne gedanklich die vier Kategorien.
Mediation precision: Übertrage fünf deutsche Sätze ins Englische, ohne Bewertungen von Institutionen oder Personen in Fakten umzuwandeln.
Error log: Sammle sechs eigene Fehlformulierungen aus Übungen und notiere jeweils eine präzisere Version.

Schwer

Competing interpretations: Entwickle zu demselben fiktiven Datensatz zwei plausible Interpretationen und nenne, welche Zusatzdaten zwischen ihnen unterscheiden könnten.
Source triangulation: Verbinde drei kurze Quellen zu einem 250-Wörter-Text, in dem jede Fremdaussage sauber attribuiert ist.
AI source audit: Prüfe eine von der Lehrkraft bereitgestellte fiktive KI-Antwort auf erfundene Quellen, überzogene Gewissheit und vermischte Kategorien; kein externer KI-Zugriff nötig.
Abi transfer: Bearbeite eine unbekannte Grafik plus kurzen Sachtext im Stil einer AFB-II/III-Aufgabe und trenne Analyse, Interpretation und persönliche Stellungnahme konsequent.

Lernkontrolle

Grenzfall erklären: Erkläre, warum “The report states that X” ein überprüfbarer Bericht über eine Aussage sein kann, obwohl X selbst unbestätigt bleibt.
Kausalität prüfen: Ein fiktiver Datensatz zeigt gleichzeitig längere Öffnungszeiten und mehr Bibliotheksbesuche. Formuliere eine zulässige Interpretation und eine unzulässig starke Schlussfolgerung.
Quellenkonflikt: Zwei Quellen widersprechen sich. Beschreibe, welche zusätzlichen Informationen Du brauchst, bevor Du eine eigene Schlussfolgerung formulierst.
Mediation transfer: Übertrage eine wertende deutsche Aussage ins Englische und erhalte die ursprüngliche Sprecherperspektive.
Schreibrevision: Überarbeite einen Absatz so, dass jede Aussage eindeutig als fact, attributed claim, interpretation oder opinion erkennbar ist.
BF-LF-Transfer: Erkläre, wie dieselbe Materialgrundlage im BF stärker strukturiert und im LF vertiefter verknüpft bearbeitet werden kann.

Lernnachweis

Für einen Lernnachweis zu diesem Thema ist wichtig:

sichere Unterscheidung von sourced fact, attributed claim, interpretation und personal opinion
nachvollziehbare Quellenangaben bei überprüfbaren Aussagen
präzise Attribution fremder Aussagen
evidenzbasierte, sprachlich angemessen vorsichtige Interpretation
sichtbare Trennung von Analyse und persönlicher Stellungnahme
passende englische reporting verbs und hedging
kritische Prüfung von Quellen und KI-generierten Angaben
eigenständige Textproduktion auf B2-Niveau mit ausgewählten C1-orientierten Präzisionsmerkmalen
fachgerechte BF/LF-Differenzierung

OERs zum Thema

OER use: Use the media as prompts for analysis and discussion. Do not copy full copyrighted exam texts, compulsory literary texts or film sequences into the MOOC.

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Englisch Oberstufe

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