CONTENT STATEMENT
Historians develop theses and use evidence to support or refute positions.
Content elaboration
Historians are similar to detectives. They develop a thesis and use evidence to create explanations of past events. Rather than a simple list of events, a thesis provides a meaningful interpretation of the past by telling the reader the manner in which historical evidence is significant in some larger context.
The evidence used by historians may be generated from artifacts, documents, eyewitness accounts, historical sites, photographs, and other sources. Comparing and analyzing evidence from various sources enables historians to refine their explanations of past events.
Historians cite their sources and use the results of their research to support or refute contentions made by others.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Develop a thesis and use evidence to support or refute a position.