GE8 – Readings in Philippine History

Activity 3

Submitted by:

Dana, Kristine Nicolle E.

Name of Professor:

Mr. Jaime Javinez

June 04, 2020

 Let’s Analyse

Activity 3
Instruction: Give a concise explanation/discussion on the following items.
5 sentences each question
10 pts per question
Write your answer in a separate page and submit it to my umindanao account.

Rubrics:
10 pts- correct answer, own words, and 5 sentences only
7 pts- correct answer, own words, and more or below 5 sentences
5 pts- correct answer, not own words (regardless the number of sentences)
2 pts- wrong answer (regardless of the words and the number of sentences)

1. How important historical writings are to a person, group/race, and country?

Historiography, as studied previously is the practice or activity of historical writing.

Historical accounts are viewed as inevitable in our society, even in humanity itself. It
proves that the events in the past could lead to a drastic change in our present times and
in our future also. It impacts us, humans to appreciate the beauty of the past as it has
something to do with our country. The knowledge of the past has brought lenient
solutions with our problems in the present.

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of accessing online primary

sources?

Primary sources are the sources which offers us a firsthand information that is
original, not edited and unfiltered. Primary sources lead you to directly addressed your
topic of interest—it provides you with basic information such as the who, what, where,
when and why of the issue. Especially, primary sources allow you to discover the
emotional state of the author for it creates an arena of personal involvement to the
reader. However, it has also its own weaknesses, it’s approach is not purely objective
as it brings you too close to the subject. It is also time-consuming to prepare, interviews,
survey questionnaires to name few examples.

3. What is Historical Criticism?

Historical criticism is one of the types of literary criticism which examines and
investigates the meaning behind the text. It is not the same with other forms of criticism
because it does not only figure out the internal influences but also the external
influences that affects the text. As the term itself implied, it is based on historical
accounts of events or historical evidence. Historical criticism is essential since it is a
higher form of criticism which would lead us closer to truth. Its aim is to seek the original
meaning of the text in its broad and literal sense.

4. Do you believe that writing history is subjective?

Writing history can never be neutral that is why there is really a greater possibility
that history lean towards subjectivism. The obligation relies on the hands of the
historians. He/ she expects a particular result to support his/her assumptions so chance
may lead to creation of falsehoods and interpretations disregarding the objective nature.
So, it must be the historian’s duty to fulfill the intentions of history through writing and
creating only credible and reliable sources about past events. In order to achieve
objectivism in writing history, an author must be transparent and must set aside his/her
personal agendas and focus on giving information that is trustworthy enough.

5. What are the benefits of using primary sources?

Primary sources enhance one’s critical thinking skills by letting you as a reader to
carefully examine documents and accounts. Primary sources also develop empathy and
compassion to consider the humane aspect of the writer. In addition, it considers
differing points of views that gives room for other perspectives and not just only
centered in your own sphere. It also constructs another level of knowledge that is based
on direct observation. Lastly, it allows everyone to appreciate and understand the
continuum of history as not only relevant to the past but can also be applied in the
present and future.