Historical

Thinking Skills
Matrix

Circle the
author and
publication
date

Write a
sentence on
the document
explaining your
answer.
Any Bias?

Write a
sentence
explaining why
or why not

List relevant
content
knowledge of
the time period

Circle or draw
arrows to any
words or
pictures that
are most
important

At the bottom,
explain why
you do/do not
think it is
reliable

List other
sources you
would like to
have to better
answer the
question.
Any
Contradictions?

Historical Thinking Question:

Tools for Analyzing Evidence in Social Studies*

Sourcing:
Before analyzing a piece of evidence it is important to remember that sourcing the
text is an important step in understanding the document and its relationship with
the author. Because the texts are interpretations, it is important to understand as
much as possible about the author.

Contextualization:

Sourcing Prompts
1.

I know that the author of this text is .

2.

The author probably believes that

3.

Based on the source this is/is not a useful text

because

Contextualization Prompts
1.

This document does not tell whole story because

2.

Because of the context of the document I know that

3.

The author could have been influenced by

When analyzing a piece of evidence, every effort should be made to understand the
historical, cultural, political, and geographical context in which it was created. The
context in which the document lives provides insight into its creation and message.

Corroboration:

Corroboration Prompts
1.

This source is more reliable because

2.

Another piece of evidence that would have helped

would be

3.

This text contradicts another source because

This requires that the reader make connections between pieces of information
found in multiple texts. By corroborating claims made in a variety of texts, a reader
can determine similarities, contrast conflicting claims, and make determinations
about the reliability of a source or claim.

Close Reading:

Close Reading Prompts

1.

The most important sentence isbecause

2.

The author chose these words because

3.

Evidence to support the authors claim include

Close reading a piece of evidence requires the reader to take a critical look at identifying the authors claim along with the evidence being
presented. Also, the reader can analyze word choice and structure in order to generate greater understanding.

Charlotte Mecklenburg School: Social Studies Department

dreww.hammill@cms.k12.nc.us john.nabors@cms.k12.nc.us

*Adapted from Stanford History Education Group: Reading like A Historian