how should histories evaluate sources of information? summarize and discuss the two approaches john tosh identifies
What kind of help do you need in order to do your assignment?
Is it plagiarism when Jiska Homework give the student the answer when they ask a question?
If the student copies it and calls it his own, yes.
No one here will write your assignment for you. What kind of HELP do you need?
John Tosh, a historian, identifies two approaches to evaluating sources of information in history: external criticism and internal criticism.
1. External Criticism:
External criticism involves evaluating the sources by considering their external characteristics and origin. This approach focuses on assessing the circumstances surrounding the creation of the source. Here are the key steps involved:
a. Authenticity: Historians examine the authenticity of the source by analyzing its origin, context, and authorship. They consider factors like the source's reliability, credibility, and whether it is a primary or secondary source.
b. Provenance: Historians investigate the provenance or ownership history of the source. They ask questions such as who created the source, when, and for what purpose. By examining the source's journey from its creation to its present state, historians can assess any biases or motives that may have influenced its content.
c. Corroboration: Historians compare the information in the source with other sources or pieces of evidence. This process of cross-referencing helps establish the credibility and accuracy of the information provided.
2. Internal Criticism:
Internal criticism involves evaluating the content of the source itself. Historians critically analyze the source's internal elements, such as its language, style, tone, and intended audience. Here are the key steps involved:
a. Language and Style: Historians examine the language and writing style of the source to identify any biases, subjectivity, or propaganda. They consider the linguistic choices made by the author and assess how these choices may influence the information presented.
b. Tone and Perspective: Historians analyze the author's tone and perspective to understand their bias or point of view. They consider the author's social, political, or cultural positions that might have influenced their interpretation of events.
c. Intended Audience: Historians consider the intended audience of the source. They analyze whether the source was created for a specific audience, purpose, or agenda. Understanding the intended audience helps historians determine potential biases or attempts to persuade.
By applying both external and internal criticism, historians aim to evaluate the reliability, credibility, and biases of sources. This comprehensive analysis leads to a more nuanced understanding of historical events and helps in constructing an accurate historical narrative.