FinishHigh · 1-page summary
Read a historical source in context
Read a historical source in context
Key points
- Identify the author, date, purpose and audience.
- A writer can have useful knowledge and a personal interest at the same time.
- Separate what a source claims from the evidence it provides.
- Compare independent accounts and explain each source’s usefulness and limits.
Worked example
Original fictional scenario: a factory owner’s letter in 1910.
A public letter before a vote may aim to persuade.
Compare its claims with inspection records and workers’ accounts.
Try it
Why consider the factory owner’s financial interest?
Answer: It can shape the writer’s perspective. It does not automatically make every statement false.
Watch the video at finishhigh.com/videos. Independent practice for the GED® test. No pass guarantee.