Final answer:
An opinion is a personal belief not based on proof, while a commonplace assertion is widely accepted but not necessarily backed by evidence. A Venn diagram can visualize the relationship between them, with one circle for opinions, one for assertions, and their overlap for statements that are both.
Step-by-step explanation:
Distinguishing between an opinion and a commonplace assertion can be nuanced, but both can be represented using a Venn diagram. An opinion is a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty, while a commonplace assertion is a statement that is generally accepted as true but not necessarily backed by evidence. A Venn diagram is a tool often used in various fields, including mathematics and logic, to visually organize information into overlapping circles to show relationships between different sets of items. For instance, one circle can represent all opinions, another all commonplace assertions, and the overlapping area could symbolize statements that are both.
Consider the statement 'This is the best movie of the year.' This statement is an opinion because 'best' is subjective and its accuracy cannot be verified factually. A commonplace assertion might be 'Birds fly,' which is generally accepted as true, although some birds do not fly. If we draw two circles, one for opinions and one for commonplace assertions, they might overlap for a statement like 'Honesty is the best policy,' which is widely accepted (commonplace assertion) and also conveys a judgment value (opinion).
To understand these concepts better, engaging students in creating their own Venn diagrams encourages critical thinking about different types of statements. By categorizing statements and looking for intersections, students can better grasp the distinctions and commonalities between opinions and commonplace assertions.