Unit 1: Think Like a Historian

close reading

Critically examining significant details and language patterns of a text in order to develop a deep understanding of the author's claims or point of view

historical context

the circumstances of the time in which an event occurred or in which an author lived that may have influenced his/her point of view

corroboration

comparing different sources in order to 1) gain a more accurate account of the past, 2) evaluate the validity of a source, and/or 3) consider multiple perspectives

thesis statement

a short statement that summarizes the main point of an essay

secondary source

accounts of events created at a later date and by someone who was not present at the event

contextualizing

taking into consideration how the author was influenced by when and where the document was produced

interpretation

the action of explaining the meaning of something

Sourcing

examining the "who," "what," "when," "where," and "why" of a document

primary source

first-hand accounts of an event created by eyewitnesses or first recorders at the time of the event