Copyright 2006, Michael T. Swords
Convenient online tutoring for
School Success
at school-success.net
School Success
at school-success.net
Note to the website visitor: The following assignment is given in both my World History and U.S.
History courses.
HISTORY COMES ALIVE (HCA) # 2: Experiencing history by analyzing documents,
artifacts, or eyewitness interviews
This is the second of three small assignments meant to make history do just that—come alive
for you, by transporting you to a different time and place, and allowing you to function as a
historian. You will use the historic method you learned about in discussing Critical Thinking
Question # 2, in a limited sense and in varying degrees, in all three assignments (and in most of
the assignments in this course).
Directions:
View or read your source, and interpret the significance of what you discover. Answer the
questions, “who, what, when, where, why, and how? (“5 Ws and an H”)”
Example: What was the event or series of events? Who was involved? When and where did it
take place? Why and how did it happen? What were the results? And the most important
question: How do you know you can trust your source (or can you?)?
These essays don’t have to be long. As a matter of fact, I have no minimum number of words or
pages assigned. So please don’t stress about these essays! The only thing I ask is that you
answer all the important questions about your source and topic (see above). I do have a
maximum word or page limit: Please try to keep your essay under 1 page, if possible. I won’t be
mad if you go over that, but it will help us both out if you can keep it within the limit. Good
writers can pack a lot of ideas into a few words.
Sources:
You will use your choice from the following menu of resources:
Living eyewitness to historic events (oral source interview) – You can interview an
eyewitness to any kind of historic event—a war, the Great Depression, the civil
rights movement, the cultural revolution of the 1960s, the college scene of the
1980s, a great sporting event, etc. This could also be the beginning of a family
history, or the history of your town or congregation. Your oral source doesn’t
have to be an “expert” or professional historian—he or she can be a family
member or friend who witnessed or took part in history. (Actually, we are all
participants and witnesses to history.) Besides answering the “5 Ws and an H,”
answer the questions, “How could I confirm that the picture this person is giving
me is true to reality?” “Did they truly witness the events, and are they giving me
an accurate picture of what really happened?”
Archaeological artifacts – Besides answering the “5 Ws and an H,” answer the questions,
“What can we learn about past events, people or places by the material remains?”
and “How do I know that these artifacts are genuine (from the period they are
supposed to be from), or trustworthy (do they give us a reliable picture of the time
or culture)?”Artifacts can be tools, pottery, clothing, ruins, or any physical
remains of a past culture.
Archival document (or family records), film or video footage of historic events (not a
dramatic film, such as a Hollywood movie, but something like news footage from
national or local news programs), or an audio recording of some historic event,
such as a political speech (e.g. Hitler addressing a Nazi Party rally)– Same
questions as with artifacts.
Some places to check for sources:
State or county archives or universities – for historic documents, news film collections, etc.
For almost any type of resource, you may want to check out the website for the Library of
Congress online catalog, at
http://lcweb.loc.gov/catalog/
Other sources: E-mail me for approval (a simple procedure).
Copyright 2005, Michael T. Swords
History courses.
HISTORY COMES ALIVE (HCA) # 2: Experiencing history by analyzing documents,
artifacts, or eyewitness interviews
This is the second of three small assignments meant to make history do just that—come alive
for you, by transporting you to a different time and place, and allowing you to function as a
historian. You will use the historic method you learned about in discussing Critical Thinking
Question # 2, in a limited sense and in varying degrees, in all three assignments (and in most of
the assignments in this course).
Directions:
View or read your source, and interpret the significance of what you discover. Answer the
questions, “who, what, when, where, why, and how? (“5 Ws and an H”)”
Example: What was the event or series of events? Who was involved? When and where did it
take place? Why and how did it happen? What were the results? And the most important
question: How do you know you can trust your source (or can you?)?
These essays don’t have to be long. As a matter of fact, I have no minimum number of words or
pages assigned. So please don’t stress about these essays! The only thing I ask is that you
answer all the important questions about your source and topic (see above). I do have a
maximum word or page limit: Please try to keep your essay under 1 page, if possible. I won’t be
mad if you go over that, but it will help us both out if you can keep it within the limit. Good
writers can pack a lot of ideas into a few words.
Sources:
You will use your choice from the following menu of resources:
Living eyewitness to historic events (oral source interview) – You can interview an
eyewitness to any kind of historic event—a war, the Great Depression, the civil
rights movement, the cultural revolution of the 1960s, the college scene of the
1980s, a great sporting event, etc. This could also be the beginning of a family
history, or the history of your town or congregation. Your oral source doesn’t
have to be an “expert” or professional historian—he or she can be a family
member or friend who witnessed or took part in history. (Actually, we are all
participants and witnesses to history.) Besides answering the “5 Ws and an H,”
answer the questions, “How could I confirm that the picture this person is giving
me is true to reality?” “Did they truly witness the events, and are they giving me
an accurate picture of what really happened?”
Archaeological artifacts – Besides answering the “5 Ws and an H,” answer the questions,
“What can we learn about past events, people or places by the material remains?”
and “How do I know that these artifacts are genuine (from the period they are
supposed to be from), or trustworthy (do they give us a reliable picture of the time
or culture)?”Artifacts can be tools, pottery, clothing, ruins, or any physical
remains of a past culture.
Archival document (or family records), film or video footage of historic events (not a
dramatic film, such as a Hollywood movie, but something like news footage from
national or local news programs), or an audio recording of some historic event,
such as a political speech (e.g. Hitler addressing a Nazi Party rally)– Same
questions as with artifacts.
Some places to check for sources:
State or county archives or universities – for historic documents, news film collections, etc.
For almost any type of resource, you may want to check out the website for the Library of
Congress online catalog, at
http://lcweb.loc.gov/catalog/
Other sources: E-mail me for approval (a simple procedure).
Copyright 2005, Michael T. Swords
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