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Thinking Like a Historian

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Thinking Like a Historian

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About this activity

Practice essential historical thinking skills.

Created by

Myra Popenfoose
Myra Popenfoose
United States

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Thinking Like a Historian
 

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Practice essential historical thinking skills.

by Myra Popenfoose
1

What is History?

History is the study of the past through evidence. Accounts differ by perspective, and we rely on evidence to build our stories. No single document is enough; to reach a plausible account, we compare multiple pieces and examine reliability.

2

Evidence and Perspective

In history, accounts vary because perspective shapes what is included or left out. We rely on multiple pieces of evidence to create a fuller picture. Remember: a single source rarely tells the complete story.

3

Sourcing

Sourcing is the first step before you read. It helps you anticipate bias and what the author may be trying to convey. Sourcing allows you to consider influences on the writer's point of view and purpose.

4

Sourcing Questions

Ask these questions before reading:

  • What type of document is this?
  • Who wrote it?
  • When was it created?
  • Who is the intended audience?
  • What is the author’s purpose?
  • Is this source reliable? Why or why not?
5

Close Reading

Close reading investigates the source itself. Read for meaning, identify unfamiliar words, and read between the lines to uncover tone, motives, and claims.

6

Close Reading Questions

Key questions after reading:

  • What unfamiliar words or phrases exist? How can you understand them using strategies or other sources?
  • What claims does the author make?
  • What evidence supports these claims?
  • What is the tone of the document (e.g., angry, sarcastic, desperate, authoritative)?
  • What is the author hoping to achieve?
  • What information is left out?
7

Contextualization

Contextualization helps you imagine the setting (place and time) in which the source was created and consider how that setting influenced what was included or omitted.

8

Contextualization Questions

Ask these questions about context:

  • What was happening at the time this was created?
  • How might that have influenced the content?
  • How would someone living then see the event?
  • Is the document part of a debate or controversy?
  • What ideas or language reflect the era (e.g., gender, race or ethnicity)?
9

Corroboration

Corroboration lets us compare sources or consider multiple perspectives to paint a more accurate picture. It also involves evaluating what remains unknown after you’ve evaluated your sources.

10

Putting It All Together

Put it all together by combining sourcing, close reading, contextualization, and corroboration. Use them to form well-supported conclusions, compare sources, challenge assumptions, and craft a plausible, multi-voiced historical account.
 
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