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Evaluation of Sources…again… How to be a psychic and pre-evaluate before you read it. What you need to be a psychic: - Background knowledge - If you have an understanding of the topic, the historical context, the people involved and the outcomes, it is easier for you to evaluate the Origin. - Critically look at the title of the source. - The Title will generally give you insight into the thesis of the article, book, etc. Carefully think about what it says and what it implies. What you need to be a psychic: - Have a solid understanding of the general purpose behind various sources: - Books – to inform (textbooks, to educate) Speeches – to inform and persuade Diaries – to get out personal thoughts and feelings Private letters – to discuss personal matters Editorial letters – to be read by a large audience and convince Academic Journals – to educate AND prove an opinion to other academics Newspapers – inform a general population Cartoons – Make a judgment Websites – to inform a general public Song/Poem/Art – Express ideas/emotions/make judgement Example: TOPIC: The Korean War Source: Acheson, Dean. “Speech on the Far East” Speech. Washington D.C., January 12th, 1950. Freedom of information Act. www.foia.cia.gov Dean Acheson Your background knowledge should remind you: • Acheson was President Truman’s Secretary of State (in charge of foreign affairs) • He would be significant in understanding US relations with foreign countries • He helped create the Truman Doctrine January 12th 1950 • Background knowledge would tell you: • This occurred before the Korean War • This may then give insight into US attitudes prior to the conflict. “Washington D.C.” • Background knowledge would tell you this is our nation’s Capitol • This is an official government speech given to the press • It is meant for Americans, but since it is in the Capitol, it might also include foreign correspondents “Speech on The Far East” • Your general knowledge should remind you that speeches are meant to inform and PERSUADE. • This is a speech from the Secretary of State, trying to convince people of US interests in the Far East (Asia…which includes Korea) • This is official US policy Generic OPVL WITHOUT having read the source… The origin of this source is Dean Acheson, who is the Secretary of State, which is valuable because he is the authority on US foreign relations, therefore the policies he discusses will be official. This is also limiting however, because he is a politician and is trying to persuade as well as inform people about US policies in the Far East. The speech is on the “Far East”, which is where Korea is located. It’s purpose is to inform and persuade. It was delivered in Washington D.C. which is the nation’s capitol, thus there will most likely be local and foreign reporters there to relate the information. This may be limiting, as the information Mr. Acheson actually relays may not be the whole truth. The speech was delivered in January of 1950, which valuable to gain insight into US attitudes prior to the conflict. It is also valuable since this was given shortly after China had fallen to Communism and the US announced the Truman Doctrine. Practice #1 Prestes, Luiz Carlos. Current Problems of Democracy. Brazil: Editorial Vitória, 1947. Who is the Author… When was it written… Historical context… Where is it written… What is the title, what type of source is it and what does that tell you… Practice #2 Vargas, Getúlio. “The New Politics of Brazil” . Vol. 1. J. Olympio, 1930. Who is our author? When was it written? What insight does the title give us? Where is it published? Practice #3 Levine, Robert M. Father of the Poor? Vargas and his era. Massachusetts: Cambridge University Press, 1998. Who is our author, what can we infer? What is the title and type of source? Where is it published? When is it published? Group practice with Inferred OPVL • In groups of 3, go to one of the Main Idea Pyramids. 1st Task - As a group, read over your citation. - On a sticky note write 2 values for the source (5 minutes) 1 based on the origin 1 based on the purpose STOP Group practice with Inferred OPVL 2nd Task As a group move to the next MIP poster to your right. - Read over the citation information and the work the previous group did on the values. (5 minutes) - In your group, come up with 2 limitations for the source - 1 on the origin - 1 on the purpose STOP Group practice with Inferred OPVL 3rd Task As a group move to the final MIP poster. - Read over the citation and the work the previous two groups did. - As a group, think of what information you would need to critique the source more fully. (5 minutes) - Think of background information - Think of historical context Group practice with Inferred OPVL 4th task As a group, move backwards to the MIP poster you were at before this one… Take 2 minutes to read over what the previous groups came up with … make additional comments Move back to the original MIP poster you worked at and read over what the other groups came up with…make additional comments. GO back to your seats Group practice with Inferred OPVL Reflection: What was difficult about this activity? What was easy? How will this be useful to you outside of this class? How will this be useful in your next research project/paper?