Fact and Reality (Lesson 1: Foundations of Critical Review)

We hear a lot in academic writing and English for Academic Purposes about the difference between fact and opinion. That’s practically a standard lesson in any writing course. But how often do we talk about the difference between fact and reality? Hardly ever. You’ll find philosophers tackling this issue, yes—but within academic research, education, or policy circles, the conversation is almost nonexistent. So today, I want to take a deep dive into that distinction. We’re going to explore why facts don’t always equal reality, why this matters for researchers, and how it affects the way we view students, data, and knowledge production.