How can one tell fact from fiction in Ripley's Believe It or Not?

It's a bit of both. Some of the stories in Ripley's Believe It or Not are based on real facts, but they might be presented in an exaggerated way for entertainment. So, it's not entirely 100% fact, nor is it completely fiction.

No. Ripley's Fact or Fiction is an interesting collection of things, but it's not 100% accurate all the time. There are various factors that can contribute to inaccuracies. The information they gather may come from sources that are not entirely reliable. Moreover, the world is constantly evolving, and new knowledge can make what was once presented as fact seem false. For instance, in the field of archaeology, new discoveries can completely change our understanding of historical events that Ripley's might have previously reported on in a different light.

By looking at reliable sources like official church statements and historical records. If a story isn't backed by these, it's likely fiction.

I'm not entirely sure, but I think they look for things that are strange, unusual, or that go against common beliefs. Things that will make people go 'huh?'

There might be a story of a ghostly apparition seen in an old cemetery. A person was passing by late at night and saw a figure in white floating among the tombstones. It was so unexpected that it sent chills down their spine. This kind of story makes one wonder about the existence of the afterlife.

Sure. There's a story about a dog that could predict earthquakes. It would start acting really strange hours before an earthquake hit, which is quite remarkable.

Well, usually facts are based on evidence and can be verified. Fiction, on the other hand, is made up and often for entertainment or creative purposes.

One way to figure it out is to check for consistency and credibility. Facts tend to be consistent over time and across different sources. Fiction might have plot holes or elements that don't make logical sense. Another thing is to consider the author's motivation - if they have a bias or an agenda, it could skew the story towards fiction.

One way to distinguish is by the purpose. Fact is mainly to inform and educate. So, if something is presented as a way to convey accurate information, it's likely fact. Fiction, on the other hand, is mostly for entertainment or to convey a moral or an idea in an imaginative way. In 'the great fact vs fiction', also look at the sources of information. Reputable news sources usually deal with facts, while fictional works come from the minds of authors, playwrights, etc. And if something seems too good to be true or goes against established knowledge, it's probably fiction.

One way is to look at the source of the information. If it comes from reliable scientific research, with proper methodology and peer review, it is more likely to be fact. In contrast, if it's from unsubstantiated claims or personal beliefs without any scientific basis, it's probably fiction. Also, consistency is key. A fact within a theory should be consistent with other known facts in related fields. If it contradicts established knowledge, it may be a sign of fictional elements.