How to Read Historical Documents: Home

When researching history, the first challenge is to identify a cache of primary source material that addresses the issue, person, place, or period that interests you. And one of the most fundamental skills of a good historian is the ability to critically read both primary and secondary sources. The purpose of this guide is to provide Centre students with strategies to develop this important skill. Please refer to the Primary Sources and Secondary Sources pages for reading strategies and suggestions.

Kishlansky, Mark A. Sources of World History, Volume 1, Third Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thompson, xv-xviii Retrieved from: http://users.clas.ufl.edu/harlandj/readings/kishlansky_how_to_read.html

Rael, Patrick, "Reading, Writing, and Researching for History: A Guide for College Students,"(Brunswick, ME: Bowdoin College, 2004).  www.bowdoin.edu/writing-guides/

https://www.presby.edu/academics/undergraduate/academic-departments-programs/history-department/student-opportunities/guidelines-for-effective-historical-research/

https://libguides.tru.ca/c.php?g=193952&p=1276162

https://www.wm.edu/as/history/undergraduateprogram/hwrc/handouts/primarysources/index.php

http://www.uky.edu/~dolph/HIS316/handouts/sources.html