Content and Contextual Analysis

of Selected Primary Sources

GERRIE ANNE S UNTO

Objective for today:
• Analyze the content, context and
perspective of the document;
• Learn the 6 C’s used in analyzing
primary sources; and
• Develop critical and analytical skills
from one’s exposure to primary
sources.
Review:
•WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT SOURCES?
•HOW TO ANALYZE SOURCES?
•HISTORICAL CRITICISM
•EXTERNAL – AUTHENTICITY OF EVIDENCE
•INTERNAL – TRUTHFULNESS AND CREDIBILITY
OF EVIDENCE
The need to examine primary sources

Primary sources represent

unfiltered records of the past
3 Aspects in Analyzing Primary Sources
•Content and contextual analysis of selected
primary sources.
•Historical importance of text in understanding
Philippine History.
•Examining the author’s main argument and point
of view.
Content and Contextual Analysis
Content Analysis
•To look at the document itself
• Author’s main argument of thesis or the main idea
• Compare points of view, identify biases, and
• Evaluate the author’s claim based on the pieces of
evidence presented or other available evidence at
the time.
Context Analysis
•Considers the time and place the historical
document was written as well as the situation or
the circumstances during the time.
• the historical context of the source [time and place it was
written and the situation at the time],
• the author’s background, intent (to the extent
discernable), and authority on the subject; and
• the source’s relevance and meaning today.
Perspective
• Historical sources are written by various authors
with different perspectives
• Perspective refers to the point of view of the
writer who was the witness of the event.
• Reading a historical event from the different
points of view will enable us to form our own
studies of the said event (use of critical and
analytical skills).
 6 C’s in Analyzing Primary Sources
• CONTENT – identify the main idea.
• CITATION - identity of the author and the time it was released.
• COMMUNICATION – identify the biases of the author.
• CONTEXT – what is going on in the place where or during the when the
document was created.
• CONNECTIONS – recognize the connection of the primary source to
what you already know.
• CONCLUSIONS – determine the contributions of the primary source to
our understanding of history.
Questions
Assignment / Asynch Activity
• PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYSIS
• Title of Source:
• Type of Primary Source:
• What do you know about the author that may shape his/her
perspective?
• Who is the intended audience of the primary source?
• Where and when was the primary source published or created?
• Describe the historical context. What was happening during this
event or time period?
References:
• Candelaria, John Lee & Alphora, Veronica. (2018). Readings in
Philippine History. Manila: REX Bookstore.

• Torres, Jose Victor. (2018). Batis: Sources in Philippine History.

Quezon City: C & E Publishing.

• Umali, V., et.al. (2018). Readings in Philippine History. Malabon City:

Jodeh Publishing.