HOW TO IDENTIFY FAKE NEWS?

LESSON 3
EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL CRITICSM
HISTORICAL METHOD

Historical method refers to the process of

probing primary sources that will be used in
writing history. This includes source criticism
which studies the external and internal
validity of sources.
Historical Sources
Includes:
Documents
Artifacts
Archeologist sites features
Oral transmissions
Stone inscription
Paintings
Recorded sounds
Images (photographs, motion picture), and oral
history. Even ancient relics, are historical sources.
 Evaluation of Historical Sources
1 2 3
Credibility
-is defined as
“the quality or
power of
Provenance
inspiring belief”. - refers to the
Credible Authenticity sources of
sources, - it refers to the information,
therefore, must proven fact such as entities
be reliable that something and processes
sources that is legitimate or involved in
provide real producing or
information that delivering an
one can artifact
believe to be
true.
External Criticism

- refers to the authenticity or

genuineness of the document,

- also called Lower Criticism

How is it done?

• Appearance of the source

• Consistency with the historical period
• Medium of the source
• Quality of the paper and ink used
• The grammar/handwriting of the author or
creator
Methods to examine a primary source
• Linguistic
• Archeology
• Numismatics
• Philately
• Paleography
• DNA technology
• Cartography
Internal criticism

- to determine if the content is accurate or

reliable.
- also, code higher criticism.
- It deals with more important matter than
external form.
How is it done?

• Historians carefully reads the text of the

source for context.
• Focus on attention on the author or creator.
• Situation surrounding its existence.
• Intended audience or reader.
Internal and External Criticism
Why is it important?
• Use of unverified and untruthful historical
sources can lead to equality false
conclusions.
• Without thorough criticism of historical
evidences, historical deception and lies will
be highly probable (possible).
• To avoid historical Distortion
Kinds and Repositories of Primary
Sources
Primary sources may be published
or unpublished document.
Published documents are those that
are intended for public distribution or
use, Newspapers, magazines, books,
reports, government documents, laws,
court decisions, literary works, posters,
maps, and advertisement are some of
the examples
Unpublished documents, unlike published
ones, may be difficult to locate as they are
kept in private and hence, may not be easily
accessed by the public. These documents are
also confidential and are restricted from
public use like personal letters, which are in
the possession of the recipients.
Primary sources may also
be unwritten
 These may include oral traditions, oral
histories artworks, and artifacts.
Traditions and histories or stories
transferred through generations may tell
us something about the past.
Artworks and Artifacts
 Content and Contextual Analysis Of
Selected Primary Sources In The Philippine
History
Context Analysis – thorough knowledge of
what the source is, who produced it,
where, when, and why it was produced.
Context Analysis considers the following:
1. Historical context of the source
- that is the time and place it was
written and the situation at a time.
2. Author’s background
- intent and authority on the subject
3. Source’s relevance
- what is the importance of the written
work of the author.
Content Analysis – applies appropriate
techniques
Content Analysis considers the following:
• Logical
• Based on the Truth
• Identify argument
• Identify biases
• Claims based on the evidences
Context
Is the source credible?

Content
Is the information logical?