Activity: Library Quest – Investigating Historical Sources
Course:
Readings in Philippine History
Topic:
External and Internal Criticism of Historical Sources
Objectives
At the end of the activity, students should be able to:
Locate historical sources in the library.
Distinguish between primary and secondary sources.
Apply external and internal criticism in evaluating historical materials.
Present their findings with supporting evidence.
Instructions
You will visit the college library individually or in pairs.
Look for one (1) historical source related to Philippine history.
Examples include:
History books
Biographies of Philippine heroes
Old newspapers (if available)
Government documents
Historical journals
Letters or memoirs (published)
Maps
Photographs
Archived materials
Ask the librarian for assistance if needed.
Part I – Source Information (External Criticism)
Fill out the following:
Title of the Source: _______________________
Author: _______________________
Year Published: _______________________
Publisher: _______________________
Library Call Number: _______________________
Guide Questions
1. Is the author clearly identified?
2. When was the source published?
3. Is it a primary or secondary source?
4. Is it an original document or a reproduction?
5. Why do you think this source is authentic?
Part II – Content Evaluation (Internal Criticism)
Read at least 3–5 pages of the material.
Answer the following:
1. What historical event is discussed?
2. What is the main message of the author?
3. Does the author present evidence?
4. Do you notice any bias or personal opinion?
5. Is the information supported by references?
6. Would you consider this source reliable? Explain.
Part III – Group Reflection
In one paragraph (150–200 words), answer:
Why are external and internal criticism essential in studying
history? What did your group learn from evaluating a historical
source in the library?
Output
Submit the following:
One completed worksheet
One reflection paper
One photo of yourself in the library while locating or reading the source
(if permitted by the library's policies)
One photo of the book's title page and copyright page (or copy the
bibliographic information if photography is not allowed)
Scoring Rubric (50 Points)
Point
Criteria
s
External Criticism 15
Internal Criticism 15
Group Reflection 10
Presentation 5
Completeness and
5
Teamwork
Total 50