lOMoAR cPSD| 9205026
Readings in Philippine History | Lesson 1
HISTORY AND HISTORICAL SOURCES
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History
Study of the past
The chronological record of events (as affecting a nation
or people) based on a critical examination of source
materials and usually presenting an explanation of their
causes.
May include accounts coming from oral traditions in
forms of epics, songs, artifacts, architecture, and memory.
Historiography
History of history
The writing of history based on the critical examination of
sources, the selection of particular details from the
authentic materials in those sources, and the synthesis of
those details into a narrative that stands the test of critical
examination.
The Importance of History
Helps understand people and societies
Helps understand change
For personal aesthetic and humanistic goals
Provides identity
Historical Source
Anything that provides information regarding a
historical topic.
May be:
a. written (more valid, less prone to biases)
b. non-written (good when recordings, writings, etc.
are not yet possible)
Kinds of Source
Primary sources: made during the time of the events.
Primary sources don’t always have to be during the time
of event, it can also be closer to the time of the event, or
after but the time duration must not be too long.
Secondary sources: made after the time of the events.
Examples: resources found in the library
Primary Sources
The historical documents used by historians as
evidence.
Provide a first-hand account of an event or time period.
Considered to be authoritative.
Examples: Letters, diaries.
Secondary Sources
Works that interpret or analyze a historical event or
phenomenon.
At least one step removed from the event is often based
on primary sources.
Often attempt to describe or explain primary sources.
Weak sources
Examples: Interpretations/narrative of a primary source,
essays, reaction papers, documentaries, “History of the
Philippines” by Barrows
Examples
Primary
Secondary
 diaries, correspondence,
 journal articles that
ships' logs
comment on or analyze
research
 original documents e.g.
 textbooks
birth certificates, trial
transcripts
 dictionaries and
encyclopedias
 biographies,
autobiographies,
 books that interpret,
manuscripts
analyze
 interviews, speeches,
 political commentary
oral histories
 biographies
 case law, legislation,
 dissertations
regulations,
 newspaper
constitutions
editorial/opinion
 government documents,
pieces
statistical data, research
 criticism of literature,
reports
art works or music
 a journal article
reporting NEW research
or findings
 creative art works,
literature
 newspaper
advertisements and
reportage and
editorial/opinion pieces
Source Criticism
A healthy skepticism about the reasons a source was made and
the validity of the nature of historical sources.
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Kinds of Criticism
External criticism is a process by which historians
determine whether a source is authentic by checking
the validity of the source.
Internal criticism looks at the reliability of an
authenticated source after it has been subjected to
external criticism.
In determining the validity of the source, check:
Accuracy: verify, double check, and look for disclaimers
Authority: know the source; trustworthy, lacks bias,
objective
Currency: check how time may affect the information
presented
Coverage: make sure the content is comprehensive and
relevant
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