Read Like a History

History is an account of the past.

Accounts differ depending on one's perspective.

We rely on evidence to construct accounts of the past

We must question the reliability of each piece of evidence.

Any single piece of evidence is insufficient to build a plausible account.

teaches you how to investigate historical questions

helps you evaluate the trustworthiness of multiple perspectives on historical issues

how to learn to make historical claims backed by documentary evidence

sourcing

contextualizing

corroboration

close reading

asks you to consider who wrote a document as well as the circumstances of its creation.

Who write it? Why? When? What is the author's perspective?

Identify the author's position.

Evaluate the purpose.

Is it trustworthy?

asks you to locate a document in time and place and to understand how these factors shape its content.

When and where was the document created?

What was different or the same then?

asks you to consider details across multiple sources to determine points of agreement and disagreement

What do they say? Do they agree? Why or why not?

What documents are the most reliable?

helps you evaluate sources and analyze rhetoric, (the art of speaking or writing effectively)

What claims does the author make?

What evidence does the author use?