Evaluation of
Sources…again…
How to be a psychic and pre-evaluate before you read it.
What you need to be a psychic:
- Background knowledge
- If you have an understanding of the topic,
the historical context, the people involved
and the outcomes, it is easier for you to
evaluate the Origin.
- Critically look at the title of the source.
- The Title will generally give you insight into
the thesis of the article, book, etc. Carefully
think about what it says and what it implies.
What you need to be a psychic:
- Have a solid understanding of the general
purpose behind various sources:
-
Books – to inform (textbooks, to educate)
Speeches – to inform and persuade
Diaries – to get out personal thoughts and feelings
Private letters – to discuss personal matters
Editorial letters – to be read by a large audience and convince
Academic Journals – to educate AND prove an opinion to other
academics
Newspapers – inform a general population
Cartoons – Make a judgment
Websites – to inform a general public
Song/Poem/Art – Express ideas/emotions/make judgement
Example:
TOPIC: The Korean War
Source:
Acheson, Dean. “Speech on the Far East”
Speech. Washington D.C., January 12th,
1950. Freedom of information Act.
www.foia.cia.gov
Dean Acheson
Your background knowledge should remind
you:
• Acheson was President Truman’s Secretary of
State (in charge of foreign affairs)
• He would be significant in understanding US
relations with foreign countries
• He helped create the Truman Doctrine
January 12th 1950
• Background knowledge would tell you:
• This occurred before the Korean War
• This may then give insight into US attitudes
prior to the conflict.
“Washington D.C.”
• Background knowledge would tell you this
is our nation’s Capitol
• This is an official government speech given
to the press
• It is meant for Americans, but since it is in
the Capitol, it might also include foreign
correspondents
“Speech on The Far East”
• Your general knowledge should remind
you that speeches are meant to inform
and PERSUADE.
• This is a speech from the Secretary of State,
trying to convince people of US interests in
the Far East (Asia…which includes Korea)
• This is official US policy
Generic OPVL WITHOUT having read the source…
The origin of this source is Dean Acheson, who is the Secretary
of State, which is valuable because he is the authority on US
foreign relations, therefore the policies he discusses will be
official. This is also limiting however, because he is a politician
and is trying to persuade as well as inform people about US
policies in the Far East. The speech is on the “Far East”, which is
where Korea is located. It’s purpose is to inform and persuade.
It was delivered in Washington D.C. which is the nation’s capitol,
thus there will most likely be local and foreign reporters there to
relate the information. This may be limiting, as the information
Mr. Acheson actually relays may not be the whole truth. The
speech was delivered in January of 1950, which valuable to gain
insight into US attitudes prior to the conflict. It is also valuable
since this was given shortly after China had fallen to Communism
and the US announced the Truman Doctrine.
Practice #1
Prestes, Luiz Carlos. Current Problems of Democracy.
Brazil: Editorial Vitória, 1947.
Who is the Author…
When was it written…
Historical context…
Where is it written…
What is the title, what type of source is it and what does that tell
you…
Practice #2
Vargas, Getúlio. “The New Politics of Brazil” . Vol. 1. J. Olympio,
1930.
Who is our author?
When was it written?
What insight does the title give us?
Where is it published?
Practice #3
Levine, Robert M. Father of the Poor? Vargas and his era.
Massachusetts: Cambridge University Press, 1998.
Who is our author, what can we infer?
What is the title and type of source?
Where is it published?
When is it published?
Group practice with Inferred OPVL
• In groups of 3, go to one of the Main Idea Pyramids.
1st Task
- As a group, read over your citation.
- On a sticky note write 2 values for the source (5 minutes)
1 based on the origin
1 based on the purpose
STOP
Group practice with Inferred OPVL
2nd Task
As a group move to the next MIP poster to your right.
- Read over the citation information and the work the previous
group did on the values. (5 minutes)
- In your group, come up with 2 limitations for the source
- 1 on the origin
- 1 on the purpose
STOP
Group practice with Inferred OPVL
3rd Task
As a group move to the final MIP poster.
- Read over the citation and the work the previous two groups
did.
- As a group, think of what information you would need to
critique the source more fully. (5 minutes)
- Think of background information
- Think of historical context
Group practice with Inferred OPVL
4th task
As a group, move backwards to the MIP poster you were at
before this one…
Take 2 minutes to read over what the previous groups
came up with … make additional comments
Move back to the original MIP poster you worked at and
read over what the other groups came up with…make additional
comments.
GO back to your seats 
Group practice with Inferred OPVL
Reflection:
What was difficult about this activity?
What was easy?
How will this be useful to you outside of this class?
How will this be useful in your next research project/paper?