MODULE2: SOURCES OF HISTORY

“The past changes a little every time we retell it.”

- Hilary Mantel

OBJECTIVES. What will you learn from this module?

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Categorize samples historical data according to its nature

2. Criticize the primary and secondary sources of History
3. Appreciate the value of knowing and telling the truth

INTRODUCTION.
Each one of us has his/her stories to tell the world. Just like us, our nation has also
a story that we must find out. The stories of our nation provide us a conceptual
framework in knowing who we really are as Filipino citizens. Scholars and historical writers
have come up some historical accounts of the different events that happened in the
Philippines from different eras. There are a lot of historical accounts from the different
perspectives of the scholars. That is why we have a lot of historical books available in our
libraries. Back up by evidences through research.

ANALYSIS. Story Time!

Rumor Has It
by Rhea Liza O. Divinagracia

It’s the first day of school, Martin is excited to meet his friends again after the lockdown.
He and his friends decided to meet at the school canteen. As he is walking towards his
friends, he saw his classmates, Francis and Blessie, shouting at each other beside the gym.
Martin is very intrigued with the situation, so he walks slowly and sneaked in to witness what
will happen next. Few seconds later, Blessie slapped Francis. Blessie was crying out loud and
walks out. Martin was so shocked. He runs towards his friends and told them what happened
between Francis and Blessie.

“Guys, you won’t believe what just happened! I just saw Blessie slapped Francis.” Roda
said. “What? OMG!” Roda – Martin’s friend replied. “Yes, I saw them with my own eyes. Oh
my, I think there’s something between the two.” Martin said intriguingly. “That’s for sure,
maybe Francis did something bad to Blessie!“ Roda added “Oh my.. or maybe Francis
cheated Blessie during the lockdown!” His other friend said surprisingly. “Shocks! That’s a
news!” Roda said with surprise. “Riiiiing.. ring…” the school bell rings. “Oh, time to go to our
class! Let’s go!” Martin said with enthusiasm.

He and his friends went to their respective classes. They chitchat with their classmates
about what happened to Fancis and Blessie. Not long afterwards, the rumors about Francis
and Blessie began to circulate around the campus. There are a lot of versions of the story
from different people that are passed from one student to another.

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 At 10 o’clock AM, all the students are scheduled to join the first day orienation at the
gymnasium. Before the program officially starts, there is a presentation headed by the
students. Everyone was so shocked when Francis and Blessie were called by the emcee.
They presented a drama before the audience. When Martin and his friends saw the
performance, they knew right from that moment that the scenario was just a rehearsal for
the presentation. Martin felt guilty over everything.

“Gosh! Guys.. all this time! Everthing was all just a rehearsal?!” Roda said with shock. “I
feel so guilty.” Martin added. “Boy, you’re not alone. Me too.” Her other friend replied. “We
better tell Francis and Blessie about this. And say sorry about the rumor that spread all over
the campus.” Martin replied. “Okay, let’s go. We can do this.” Roda said with utmost
sincerity.

Martin and his friends went to meet Francis and Blessie at the backstage. “Hello Francis
and Blessie, my apologies. I was the one who saw both of you beside the gym. I am
responsible for all the rumors. I am truly sorry.” Martin said apologetically. “I am very proud of
you to have the courage to speak, it’s really not a problem. To be honest, we are not really
affected by it. After hearing all the rumors, Francis and I just laughed and we were so excited
to showcase the drama we prepared for all of our teachers and for the students to be
encouraged to join the drama club.” Blessie said.

“Actually, we were both happy knowing our acting skills were very realistic that it made
the people confused. But for your own welfare, please be careful with what information you
share with others. Know the truth first before spreading it because it will cause commotion
and others will be misinformed. We do not want that to happen. Nevertheless, we reallly
appreciate your apologies guys.” Francis added. “Thank you for that. We will be very careful
of the information we spread next time. It will be a lesson for us in the future. Anyway,
congratulations for your performance you both are really great actors, you will have a great
future ahead of you.” Roda replied. “I am sure there are a lot of students will join your club.
Can I join also?” Martin’s friend added.“Sure, I will be glad! Everyone is welcome. So, group
hug?” Blessie replied.

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

1. What did Martin saw beside the gymnasium?

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2. What was the real reason why Blessie and Francis was shouting at each other?
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3. Why did Martin and his friends asked for an apology to Blessie and Francis?
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4. Based from the story, what have you learned?
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5. Why is it important to seek and know the truth?
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 LESSON2: SOURCES OF HISTORY

ABSTRACTION

Historical data are sourced from artifacts that have been left by the past. These can be
relics or remains, or the testimonies of witnesses to the past which historians depend in order to
create their own depiction of that past. The historian deals with the dynamic or genetic as well
as the static and aims at being interpretative as well as descriptive.

The written sources of history are catgorized in three (3) ways: a. Narrative or literary; b.
Diplomatic or judicial; and c. Social documents.

 NARRATIVE OR LITERARY
 These are chronicles or tracts presented in narrative form, written to impart
a message whose motives for their composition vary widely.
 Examples are newspaper, ego document, novel, and film.

 DIPLOMATIC OR JUDICIAL
 These are understood to be those which document or record and existing
legal situation or create a new one.
 It is kind of sources that professional historians once treated as purest,
“best” source.
 A legal document is usually sealed or authenticated to provide evidence
that a legal transaction has been completed and can be used as
evidence in judicial proceedings in case of dispute.

 SOCIAL DOCUMENTS
 These are information pertaining to economic, social, political, or judicial
significance.
 They are records kept by bureaucracies.
 Examples such as government reports, municipal accounts, property
registers records of census, and research findings.

There are also historical sources which are not written. There are two (2) types of non-
written sources: a. material evidence; and b. oral evidence.

 MATERIAL EVIDENCE
 Also known as archaeological evidence which includes artistic creations
such as pottery, jewelry, graves, and others that tell a story about the past.

 ORAL EVIDENCE
 Much is told by the tales or sagas of ancient people and the folk songs or
popular rituals from the pre-modern period of Philippine history.

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Lastly, there are two (2) general kinds of historical sources which are: a. direct or primary;
and b. indirect or secondary.

 DIRECT OR PRIMARY SOURCES

 These are original, first-hand account of an event or period that are
usually written or made during or close to the event or period. Their key
function is to provide facts.
 Examples are diaries, journals, newspapers, government records,
interviews, novels, stories, and drawings.
 Primary sources provide a window into the past—unfiltered access to the
record of artistic, social, scientific and political thought and achievement
during the specific period under study, produced by people who lived
during that period.
 These unique, often profoundly personal, documents and objects can
give a very real sense of what it was like to be alive during a long-past
era.
 Primary sources often incomplete and have little context. Students must
use prior knowledge and work with multiple primary sources to find
patterns.
 In analyzing primary sources, students move from concrete observations
and facts to questioning and making inferences about the materials.

 INDIRECT OR SECONDARY SOURCES

 These are second-hand information or materials made by people long
after the events being described had taken place to provide valuable
interpretations of historical events. Usually, the author will have to study
the primary sources of an historical period or event and will then interpret
the “evidence” found in these sources.
 Examples are biographies, histories, art and theatre reviews.
 Secondary sources can provide analysis, synthesis, interpretation, or
evaluation of the original information.
 Secondary sources are best for uncovering background or historical
information about a topic and broadening your understanding of a topic
by exposing you to others’ perspectives, interpretations, and conclusions
 It allows the reader to get expert views of events and often bring together
multiple primary sources relevant to the subject matter.
 Their reliability and validity are open to question, and often they do not
provide exact information.
 They do not represent firsthand knowledge of a subject or event.
 There are countless books, journals, magazine articles and web pages
that attempt to interpret the past and finding good secondary sources
can be an issue

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 APPLICATION

I. Inside the box are historical data. Categorize each according to its nature.
Identify if the historical data is written or non-written by putting check (/). Afterwards,
write what type of written or non-written sources. Lastly, identify its general kind of
historical sources. Examples are already given.

MANILA BULLETIN NEWS PAPER LETTERS JEWELRY

Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela BIBLIOGRAPHY

ARTS AND THEATER REVIEWS BIRTH CERTIFICATE PHOTOGRAPHS

Diary of Anne Frank BOOKS RECORDINGS

President Roosevelt’s war messages JOURNAL REMAINS/FOSSILS

DOCUMENTARY RECORDS OF CENSUS POTTERY

HISTORICAL WRITTEN NON- TYPE OF TYPE OF NON- GENERAL KIND

DATA SOURCES WRITTEN WRITTEN WRITTEN OF HISTORICAL
SOURCES SOURCES SOURCES SOURCES

MATERIAL PRIMARY
POTTERY /
EVIDENCE SOURCES
SOCIAL PRIMARY
BIRTH CERTIFICATE /
DOCUMENTS SOURCES

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 II. Answer the following questions. Please refer to the story of Rumor Has It on
page 6.

A. What do you think is the primary source in the story of Rumor Has It and why?

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B. What do you think is the secondary source in the story of Rumor Has It and why?

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C. Give the advantages and disadvantages of using Primary and Secondary sources.

PRIMARY SOURCES SECONDARY SOURCES

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

D. If you were to write a history book or conduct anthropological research, which

general kind of historical sources would you prefer? Why?
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“Only a part of what is credible has been grasped, and only a part of what has been
grasped can be expounded or narrated by the historian.”
- Louis Gottschalk, Understanding History

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