Content and Contextual Analysis of

Selected Primary Sources in

Philippine History
Primary Sources
• Those sources produced at the
same time as the event, period,
or subject being studied.
• those materials created as close
to the historical event as
possible
External Criticism
• The practice of verifying the
authenticity of evidence by
examining its physical
characteristics; consistency
with the historical characteristic
of the time when it was
produced; and the materials
used for evidence.
 How is it done?
• Appearance of the source
• Consistency with the historical
period
• Medium of the source
• Quality of the paper and ink
used
• The grammar/handwriting of
the author/creator
 Internal criticism
• The examination of the truthfulness
of the evidence.
• Looks at the content of the source
and examines the circumstance of its
production.
• Looks at the truthfulness and
factuality of the evidence
 How it is done?
• Carefully reads the text of the source
for context
• Focus on the attention on the author
or creator
• Situation surrounding its existence
• Intended audience or reader
Difference between External and
Internal Criticism
Context Analysis
• an analysis of a text (in whatever medium) that
helps us to assess that text within the context of its
historical and cultural setting, but also in terms of
its textuality – or the qualities that characterize
the text as a text
 Context Analysis
A. Background of the Author/Creator (family background,
educational attainment, religion, and many others should be given
priority in presenting the biography of the author.

B. Background of the Document/Primary Source

• type of primary sources and where it is located

• intended audience of the sources
• creator and time of creation
• purpose/motive of the source
• understand the historical context through background research e.g important
historicall event
• context is the awareness that sources were created at times which were
different to our own
Content Analysis
• “the systematic, objective, quantitative analysis of
message characteristics.”
 Content Analysis
• corroboration of gathered information from the internet and primary source
• analyze the source and look for bias. There is bias when a source’s information is
unbalanced or prejudiced
• two types of bias: strongly positive (strong in favor or) and strongly negative
(strongly against)
• There is bias if: it is too positive that provides little negative information then there is
an extreme positive bias. If too much negativity that provide little positive on the
person, then there is extreme negativity. When the source is silent or intentionally
leaves important information of which you are ware from other sources. That last if
there are obvious errors or when the source provides information that you know to
be false from alternative sources
• Pointing out the bias in your analysis by providing a direct quote. Then, explain the
creator’s perspective and purpose.
 Content Analysis
• contribution of the source in understanding grand narrative of Philippine History -
look for the cause and consequences of the primary sources. In this part of the
analysis, look also for the turning point or dramatic moment of change that was
caused by the event of primary source.
• Relevance of the primary source to the present time - historical significance or what
modern people consider to be important from the past.
• NAME (Novelty, Applicability, Memory, and Effect) can be used in determining the
significant of the event.
⚬ Novelty - when something is new or never been seen before
⚬ Applicability - when similar to the present
⚬ Memory - how it has been remembered over time
⚬ Effect - how people have been affected
 Documents to be Evaluated:

Testimonies of the Kartilya ng Katipunan 1898 Declaration of

Bataan Death March Philippine
Survivors Emilio Jacinto Independence
Documents to be Evaluated:

Philippine Cartoons: Political Corazon Aquino’s Speech

Caricature of the American before the
Era (1900-1941) U. S. Congress
Alfred McCoy
Perform the Context and Content Analysis of the
Primary Sources based on the following:

1.Background of the author.

2.Context of the document.

3.Content Analysis of the Important Historical Information

Found in the Document

4.Contribution of the document in understanding Philippine

History

5.Relevance of the Document to the Present Time

Instructions
• Divide the class into five groups

• Pick a topic from the primary sources

• Conduct context and content analysis of the primary

source given to your group.

• Brainstorm with your group mates and prepare a

powerpoint presentation

• Be prepared and wait for further announcements

Thank you! :)