Sources and interpretations
- A source comes from the time being studied, such as a letter, photograph, cartoon or speech. An interpretation is a later view of the past, such as a historian's book or a documentary.
- Question every source with NOP: its Nature (what kind of source is it?), its Origin (who made it, and when?) and its Purpose (why was it made?).
Judging usefulness
- How useful a source is depends on the question being asked. Even a biased source can be useful, because it shows people's attitudes.
- Judge a source using its content (what it tells you), its provenance (who made it, when and why) and your own knowledge of the context (does it fit with what you know, and what does it leave out?).
Comparing interpretations
- Historians' interpretations differ because of the sources they use, what they focus on, when they were writing, and their purpose or point of view.
- To compare interpretations, identify the difference, support it with details from each, and explain why they might differ.
Exam technique
- Quote briefly, explain what the quotation shows, link it to your own knowledge, and reach a judgement.
- For 'how far do you agree?' questions, argue both sides with evidence, then give a clear, supported conclusion.
- Some answers also earn marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar, so check your writing.
Key terms
- Primary source
- Evidence from the time being studied.
- Secondary source
- A later account of the past, based on other evidence.
- Interpretation
- A later view or explanation of the past, such as a historian's.
- Provenance
- Where a source comes from: who made it, when and why.
- Utility
- How useful a source is for a particular enquiry.
- Bias
- A one-sided view that favours one side.
- Context
- What was happening at the time.
- Corroboration
- Checking a source against other evidence.
- Propaganda
- Information designed to persuade people to think in a certain way.