IDENTIFICATION
1. Incompleteness of records has limited man’s knowledge of history.
• Limitation of Historical Knowledge
2. These are raw materials out of which history may be written.
• Historical Sources
3. This historical method historians investigate, collect, and examine sources.
• Historical Method
4. Historians’ ability to reconstruct historical events.
• Historiography
5. Historians aim of searching the truth, authenticity, and plausibility.
• Verisimilitude
6. Objects or things that have since been forgotten or the experience of generations long dead.
• Remnants / Relics / Historical Artifacts
(based on “vanished into oblivion leaving only sporadic remnants behind”)
7. The practice of historical writing.
• Historiography
8. Learning by inquiry.
• Historia
9. Historical objectivity.
• Subjective process of re-creation
(as opposed to natural sciences’ objectivity; history deals with human testimonies and interpretation)
10. The process of critically examining and analyzing the records and survivals of the past.
• Historical Analysis
ESSAY
1. What relevance does historical literature have for a person, a group or race, and a country?
Historical literature allows people and groups to understand their own identity and past experiences. It gives
meaning and relevance to how they interpret their history. By knowing what happened in the past, they can
understand their place in society and preserve their culture or values. This is important in forming a nation’s
purpose and framework for learning and growth.
2. How do you determine whether the sources utilized for research and writing are reliable?
Based on the lesson, historians scrutinize the authenticity of sources, either entirely or in part. They choose
sources that have survived through time, and analyze which parts are credible and noteworthy. They also
understand that even surviving records may be biased or incomplete, so careful evaluation is necessary.
3. How can you present a history that is supposed to have meaning?
To present meaningful history, historians must interpret the evidence and connect it to the broader context of
human experience. They use speculative history to explain how and why events happened, not just the facts.
They also reconstruct events using existing records and historical method, aiming to provide a version of the
past that is believable and insightful.
4. How would you describe the importance of learning history?
Learning history helps people gain insight into the present by understanding what happened in the past. It
allows individuals and societies to analyze causes and effects, learn from past experiences, and see patterns
and connections. Despite limitations, history helps us understand the human condition and the forces that
shaped our world.
Lesson 2.
1. These are original historical sources.
→ Primary Sources
2. This evidence is considered as material evidence.
→ Archaeological Evidence
3. Historians consider these sources as document/record and existing legal situation as the best source.
→ Diplomatic or Legal Sources
4. The attestation of those responsible for the document, which may be the author, writer, countersignature,
principal parties involved, and witnesses to the enactment or the subscription.
→ Authentication
5. These historical sources are material by nature.
→ Non-Written Sources (especially Material/Archaeological Evidence)
6. A product of record keeping of a bureau which contains information.
→ Social Documents
7. This is an example of a primary source.
→ Diary (Other valid examples: letter, photograph, speech, official record)
8. The historical tract is typically composed to inform contemporaries or succeeding generations.
→ Narrative or Literary Source (e.g., chronicles, pamphlets)
9. These are materials made by people long after the events being described had taken place.
→ Secondary Sources
10. This is an example of a primary source.
→ Photograph (Other valid examples: journal, government record, map)
Essay:
1. What advantages can primary sources offer?
Primary sources are very helpful because they come straight from the past — from the people who were really
there. This means we can get a true sense of what happened, how people felt, and what they experienced. For
example, reading a letter from someone who lived through a war is more personal and emotional than just reading
a summary. It gives us a real connection to history. These sources also help historians see the facts clearly and
make their own explanations instead of relying on someone else’s opinion.
2. Why do you think secondary sources are so prevalent in history textbooks?
Secondary sources are common in textbooks because they make history easier to understand. Instead of giving us
every little detail, they summarize the most important parts. Historians or authors of textbooks already did the
hard work of studying many primary sources, so they explain things in a simpler way for students. They also help
connect different events and explain how they are related, which is something that’s not always clear in primary
sources. That’s why they are helpful, especially for learning in school.
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using primary sources online?
Looking for primary sources online is very convenient. You can read letters, see old photos, or watch historical
videos even from home. It’s faster and cheaper than going to a library or museum. But there are also some
downsides. Not everything online is reliable—some websites might show fake or edited sources. Also, if there’s no
explanation, it can be hard to understand what the source means or why it’s important. So, while it’s helpful, we
need to be careful and make sure the source is trustworthy.
Lesson 3:
IDENTIFICATION:
1. Internal Criticism
– This helps us find out if what the document says is actually true or believable.
2. Forgery
– A fake or altered document that tries to look like the original one.
3. Isographies
– These are like handwriting reference books that show samples of different people’s writing.
4. Sigillographers
– Experts who study old seals (like stamps or emblems used in official documents).
5. Sensus Literalis Historicus
– This means understanding a text based on its original historical setting and meaning.
6. Internal Criticism (Higher Criticism)
– This goes beyond just how a document looks. It checks what it actually says and whether it makes
sense in history.
7. 17th Century
– That’s when historical criticism started to become known, especially during the time of the Protestant
Reformation.
8. Internal Criticism
– It checks if the information written in a document really matches what actually happened in the
past.
9. 19th Century
– This is when typewriters were first invented and started being used.
10. Middle Ages
– During this time, faking documents and changing facts was pretty common.
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
1. What does historical criticism truly entail?
Historical criticism is like detective work for old writings. It helps us understand if a document is real and whether
the things written in it actually happened. Historians look at who wrote it, when, and why. They also check if the
facts inside make sense based on what we know about history. It’s all about understanding the true meaning of the
text and the world it came from.
2. Why is historical criticism important?
It’s important because not everything written in the past is true. Some documents might be fake, biased, or
misleading. Historical criticism helps us figure out which sources we can trust. It gives us a clearer and more
honest picture of what really happened, which is important for learning real lessons from history and avoiding false
information.
3. Do you think history is subjectively written? Explain your answer.
Yes, I believe history can be written with some bias. After all, people write history, and people have opinions,
beliefs, and limitations. Sometimes, only one side of the story is told, or certain details are left out. But that’s why
we study history critically—to spot those biases and get closer to the full story.
4. How can historical accounts be considered objective?
Historical accounts can be more objective when historians use facts from different trusted sources and avoid
letting personal opinions get in the way. If they carefully check the document’s background and compare it with
other reliable evidence, the story they tell will be more balanced and accurate. It’s about being fair and honest with
the facts, even if the truth is complicated.
