LESSON 2

Pre-test

Complete the sentences below by looking for the answer in the box provided.
Don’t forget to encircle the word selected.

1. An examination of the past teaches us to see the world through different

_____.
2. Even though history as a discipline is not subjective, absolute ______ is
inconceivable according to Dilthey.
3. As defined by Renato Constantino, history is a ______ struggle of people…
4. History is derived from the Greek word _______.
5. The art of writing history is _______.
6. The critical examination, and analysis of sources and records in history is
_____ method.
7. You can develop several _____ while studying history.
8. Teodoro Agoncillo is the ______ of Filipino nationalist historiography.
9. Example of primary source in history. ________
10. Example of secondary source in history. ________

W Y R A D N O C E S
R E C O R D E D G K
O A B H E H M L J
H Q H I S T O R I A
I R P S F O B J N D
S C Z T D Y J B A K
T U T O X B E Y E S
O W V R G O C C L M
R F E I H O T I N O
I S X O S K I L L S
C F I G T S V Q P R
A D R U D I A R Y
L H G A W V T X Y W
E U J P Y Z Y K Q P
F A T H E R B R L Z
C V T Y A S A N M O

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 LESSON 2

Lesson 2. Sources of History

Learning Outcomes:
Lesson 2 1. Distinguish samples of primary and secondary
sources and its repositories.
Required 2. Critique sources using external and internal
resources: criticisms.
3. Analyze content of primary and secondary sources.
a. PPT
b. Worksheet A. PRE-ACTIVITY
c. videos
d. readings Since they say that examination of the past can tell us great deal
how we came to be “who we are”, let’s get to know you more using
few things that can be seen inside your home.

Paste a copy
of any of your
picture
(7-10 years
ago) here.

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 LESSON 2

Using the photo above, answer the following questions below:

1. When and where this was taken?
2. Tell us the story behind the photo.
3. How important for you to keep a photo like this?

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 LESSON 2

Lesson 2. Sources of History

Learning Outcomes:
Lesson 1 1. Distinguish samples of primary and secondary
sources and its repositories.
2. Critique sources using external and internal
criticisms.
3. Analyze content of primary and secondary sources.
B. CONTENT

Last lesson we discussed about the definition of history, and we differentiated

historiography from historical method. Now, we have to understand that neither of the two is
possible without using sources of history. Yes, you read it right! You can’t write history without
sources.

In the book Understanding History by Gottschalk, he discusses the importance of sources for
historians.

“The historian, however, has to use many materials that are not in the books. Where
these are archeological, epigraphical, or numismatical materials, he has depend largely on
museums. Where there are official records, he may have to search for them in archives,
courthouses, government libraries, etc. Where there are private papers not available in official
collections, he may have to hunt among the papers of business houses, the muniment rooms of
ancient castles, the prized possessions of autograph collectors, the records of parish churches, etc.
Having some subject in mind, with more or less definite delimitation of the persons, areas, times,
and functions (i.e the economic, political, intellectual, diplomatic or other occupational aspects)
involved, he looks for materials that may have some bearing upon those persons in that area at
the time they have function in that fashion. These materials are his sources. The more precise his
delimitation of persons, area, time and function, the more relevant his sources are likely to be.”

Historical sources are our view of the past. It is through the use of
these sources that we can study and write history. Just like solving a big
puzzle, writing history is not an easy job since there are a lot sources
available already. Historians should choose and examine carefully the
sources that they will use.

There are two types of sources in history:

A. PRIMARY
B. SECONDARY

Primary Source- is a document that was written or an object which was created, in the time
period in which you are working. They offer a direct insight into what happened. These are
materials directly involved in the event or topic being studied. It doesn’t need to be an
original one, but its content should not be changed.

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 LESSON 2

Below are examples of primary sources:

a. Coins
b. Letters
c. Diary
d. Manuscript
e. Photographs
f. Sketches and drawings
g. Maps
h. Material evidence of pre-historic past like cave drawings, ancient writing etc.
i. Newspapers
j. Film footage
k. Official records like marriage contract, transcript, birth certificate etc.
l. Many more……

Try to look at the samples below:

Jose Rizal with Maria dela

Paz Pardo de Tavera, and
friends posing for Juan
Luna’s portrait

Top (Mickey mouse money during the

Japanese Occupation
Left (the teenage Jose Rizal)
Right (copy of original La Solidaridad is
just a size of 8X11 bondpaper.

The treasures above can be found in what you call repositories of sources, and these are:
a. Archives
b. Libraries
c. Museums
d. Historical Societies
e. Private Hands (e.g. family) /Collectors

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 LESSON 2

f. Research Institutions
g. Others

Secondary Sources are sometimes created from the primary sources, or an interpretation of
it. These are one or more steps removed from time or event being studied. According to
Gottschalk, this is the testimony of anyone who is not an eyewitness—that is of one who
was not present at the event of which he tells.

Examples of secondary sources are:

a. Books (textbooks)
b. Articles
c. Magazines
d. Encyclopedias
e. Criticisms
f. Scholarly journals
g. Others…

Is it enough to have sources to begin writing history? Well, unfortunately, you still have lots
of things to do with the sources (that you have) before you can start writing them; because
we cannot just simply assume that everything from the sources are true and reliable.

Now, please remember these set of questions in dealing with

sources:

a. What type of source is it?

b. Who created the source?
c. Which goal was the source created? (Did the creator want to tell
the truth or influence others thru a propaganda?)
d. What is the context (prevailing values, religion, political situation
etc.) in which source was created?
e. Has the author been trained in the right field?
f. Where and when was the source published?
g. Which sources has the author used and how critical has he been?

So, how do historians choose the source to use in writing a narrative of the past Well, there
are two very important criticisms that they should apply.

A. External criticism- this guarantees the authenticity of the source by examining its
physical characteristic (e.g. handwriting, words used)-consistent ofcourse to
the time it was produced and the materials used (e.g. type of paper or
ink).
B. Internal Criticism- answers the credibility of the source. It
examines the content as to its truthfulness and factuality. It checks
also all the possible agenda, propaganda and the purpose of those
who wrote or produced them.

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 LESSON 2

These two methods are important to ensure that historians are not deceived by the sources
and it would really construct a true narration of the past.

Now, let’s have an additional information here!

If history is a study of past events, then what is Pre-History?

To answer that, let’s also understand

that History is also a period in time where there
is already a presence of written records.
Therefore, when we say Pre-history, that is a
term that covers human experiences prior to

human records or documentation. Please

see photos of prehistoric ages (Upper left-
Ice age; Right, Stone Age; Lower left,
Bronze Age)

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-A primary source need not to be original.

-Sources that interpreted the content of primary source is a
secondary source.
The basic source of pre-history is Pre-historic archeology.

Online Resources/Activities:
_____________________________________________________________________
www.edmodo.com
1. Santiago Alvarez, Katipunan and the Revolution: Memoirs of a General, (pp. 82-88).
2. Teodoro Agoncillo, History of the Filipino People, (pp. 184-187).

References:

Torres, J.V. (2018). Batis: Sources in Philippine History. Quezon City: C&E Publishing Inc.
Wilde, R. (2019). Primary and Secondary Sources in History. Retrieved from
https://www.thoughtco.com/primary-and-secondary-sources-their-meaning-in-history-1221744

Photos from https://www.msn.com/en-ph/lifestyle/topstories/20-rare-photos-of-jose-rizal-through-the-

years/ar-BB15ISSO?li=BBr8zL6
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/jose-rizal-rare-photos-a00297-20200619-lfrm
https://wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com/2018/11/18/philippines-pt-1-mickey-mouse-money-after-wwii/
Groeneveld, E. (2017). Sources of History. Ancient History Encyclopedia Retrieved from
https://www.ancient.eu/article/1048/sources-of-history/

https://www.history.com/topics/pre-history

Name:
Year & Section:
Assessment Professor:
Date:
t

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