Which sentence states a fact?
For someone who has never read Charles Dickens, David Copperfield is the best novel to start with. In the 1840s, American fans of Charles Dickens hosted a "Boz Ball" in New York to honor the writer.
A fact is something that can be proved by research or observation.
Napoleon Bonaparte was shorter than King Louis XVI.
The statement above is a fact. The statement can be proved by researching the height of each man and comparing them.
An opinion is something that a person believes, thinks, or feels. An opinion cannot be proved.
Napoleon Bonaparte was a better leader than King Louis XVI.
The statement above is an opinion. People can have different ideas about what makes someone a "better" leader, so the statement cannot be proved.
The first sentence states a fact.
In the 1840 s, American fans of Charles Dickens hosted a "Boz Ball" in New York to honor the writer.
It can be proved by reading a biography of Charles Dickens.
The second sentence states an opinion.
For someone who has never read Charles Dickens, David Copperfield is the best novel to start with.
Best shows what a person believes, thinks, or feels. Another person might have a different opinion about which of Dickens's novels is best for a reader new to Dickens.