This is possibly the easiest MH question you will get, provided you understand what it is asking.
In all the exams i faced, i loved this question.
BASICALLY
Look at what it is.
- photo
- diary entry
- newspaper article
- transcript of a conversation
Whatever the source is, ask yourself "Who is the intended audience?" and once you know that ask yourself "What does it aim to do?"
Sources that are edited provide the historian with an IMPERFECT source.
Sources that contain bias provide the historian with an IMPERFECT source.
"Imperfect evidence, Imperfect History" - Vincent, John (An Intelligent Person's Guide to History)
(e.g. a cropped photo of a pro war demonstration may cut out a group of peace marchers... ergo all you see is a photo of pro war people... therefore you may assume that the general opinion was pro-war and not, in fact, divided. A newspaper article from the time may be bound by certain laws [e.g. DORA]. Memiors (spelling?) may include falsified and/or not include true memories due to the passage of time. Diary entries may be the most honest source you'll find... but they're often full of emotion. Understand?)
Compare sources under the above guidelines and reach your conclusion.
If you write the who, what, where, when and how down and then compare, contrast and provide your own reading.... you cannot really go wrong.
No brainer, an easy 9-10 marks.
The rep button is the scales near the online/offline indicator... so you know.
If you find this useful, click it and tell me how great i am.
