Question

The author of a source possesses a particular ______ shaped by his or her lived experience and individual context. Always ask yourself, “Has this author given a fair hearing to competing theories or alternative accounts, or is the author’s view slanted toward a particular opinion or achieving a particular agenda?”

The author of a historical account may advance a particular ______ of historical events or present evidence that is contentious, irrelevant, or otherwise not grounded in historical fact. Always ask yourself, “Is this author’s estimation of historical events adequately supported?”

Answer 1

The author of a source possesses a particular perspective shaped by his or her lived experience and individual context. Always ask yourself, “Has this author given a fair hearing to competing theories or alternative accounts. The author of a historical account may advance a particular narratives of historical events or present evidence that is contentious, irrelevant, or otherwise not grounded in historical fact. The goal is to discern whether the information presented is factual, biased, or otherwise and to understand the author's potential motivations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The author of a source possesses a particular perspective shaped by his or her lived experience and individual context. When evaluating the credibility of a source, especially in historical research, it is essential to identify the author’s perspective, including their assumptions, evidence, biases, and reasoning. Understanding the perspective can help determine if the author is fairly representing competing theories or alternative accounts or if their view is leaning towards a specific opinion or agenda.

Various factors must be considered while assessing a source, such as the type of source (e.g., government documents, personal diaries), the author's purpose (e.g., scholarly analysis, political advocacy), the historical context, and whether the author is an impartial expert or known for bias. When a historian looks at narratives of historical events, they must discern whether the presentation of evidence is grounded in historical fact or if the narrative includes contentious or irrelevant information.

Researching the author, reading multiple sources on the topic, discerning fact from opinion, and evaluating documentary sources are all crucial to understanding the context and credibility of the information presented. This rigorous methodology allows for a more balanced interpretation of history, although complete elimination of bias is not always possible due to the individual's unique lens shaped by personal experiences and circumstances.