Think like a Historian

first-hand accounts of an event created by eyewitnesses or first recorders at the time of the event

• corroboration
• primary source
• contextualizing
• secondary source

accounts of events created at a later date and by someone who was not present at the event

• corroboration
• primary source
• contextualizing
• secondary source

examining the “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” and “why” of a document

• corroboration

• close reading

• contextualizing

• sourcing

taking into consideration how the author was influenced by when and where the document was produced

• corroboration
• close reading
• contextualizing
• secondary source

comparing different sources in order to 1) gain a more accurate account of the past, 2) evaluate the validity of a source, and/or 3) consider multiple perspectives

• corroboration
• close reading
• contextualizing
• frame of reference

Critically examining significant details and language patterns of a text in order to develop a deep understanding of the author’s claims or point of view

• corroboration
• close reading
• contextualizing
• frame of reference

an opinion or perspective presented by the author of a document, influenced by the author’s personal circumstances

• historical context
• close reading
• point of view
• frame of reference

the personal attributes and life experiences of an author that may have influenced his/her point of view

• historical context
• close reading
• point of view
• frame of reference

the circumstances of the time in which an event occurred or in which an author lived that may have influenced his/her point of view

• historical context
• close reading
• point of view
• frame of reference

Who was NOT a primary source

• Myself

• Student who cut me off

• My wife

• Guy taking trash out at Whatburger