1. Tools of a Historian

2. The Big Question
How do we study the past?

3. Draw it!
How do we study the past?

4. Secondary Sources Primary Sources Historic Accounts Draw it!
How do we study the past?
Historic Accounts

5. Secondary Sources Primary Sources Evidence Historic Accounts Opinions
Draw it!
Secondary Sources
Primary Sources
How do we study the past?
Evidence
Historic Accounts
Opinions
Facts

6. Historians need...
Evidence: facts or information that can be used to test whether a belief is true or valid

7. Belief: The Khmer Empire in India was powerful
Example
Belief: The Khmer Empire in India was powerful
Evidence: The Khmer Empire built the detailed temple of Angkor Wat

8. Historians need...
Sources: historians use two types of sources primary sources and secondary sources

9. Historians need...
Facts: A fact is something that can be proven about a subject or can be tested and proven
Look for clues like:
“75% of…”
“Experts say…”

10. Opinions: What someone thinks about a subject Look for clues like:
Historians need...
Opinions: What someone thinks about a subject
Look for clues like:
“It’s obvious...”
“I believe...”
“They should...”

11. Checkpoint
Fact or Opinion?
In the U.S. there are 88 million pet cats and 74 million dogs.
Cats are the friendliest animal to have as a pet.
In 2013, a cat ran for mayor of Mexico City.
According to experts, cats can recognize their owner’s voice, but just don’t care.

12. Watch out for...
When studying Primary or Secondary Sources, watch out for contradictions and inconsistencies.

13. Watch out for...
Contradiction: the facts presented cannot all be true; they clash with one another
Example: Someone says “no one like cats” yet you know there are 88 million pet cats. Does the statement match the fact?

14. Watch out for...
Inconsistency: the facts are presented differently; this raises questions about the source’s accuracy
Example: One person writes an article on how cats are mean yet spends their free time dumping cold water on cats. Is this person a trustworthy source?

15. Internal inconsistency: within a single document
Watch out for...
Internal inconsistency: within a single document
External inconsistency: when comparing more than one document or source

16. Contradiction or Inconsistent?
Checkpoint
Contradiction or Inconsistent?
Page one of a diary entry reads…
Today, the cats Kirby and Ellie woke me up first.
However, page two of a diary reads...
Yesterday, when Kirby and Elise woke me up…
Contradiction or Inconsistent? Internal or External?

17. Contradiction or Inconsistent?
Checkpoint
Contradiction or Inconsistent?
Page one of a newspaper entry reads…
In the 1960s, the CIA tried to turn a cat into a spy
However, in an TV interview the Director of the CIA said...
“We have never tried to use cats as spies”
Contradiction or Inconsistent? Internal or External?

18. Contradiction or Inconsistent?
Checkpoint
Contradiction or Inconsistent?
On the radio a scientist says…
“All cats can understand their owners, they just ignore them”
Later on the radio, the scientist says...
“Yes, most cats can understand their owners.”
Contradiction or Inconsistent? Internal or External?

19. Complete the Exit Ticket before you leave!