A hands-on method for source criticism: claim typing, primary-source tracing, incentive analysis, corroboration, and confidence calibration.
Section 01Scholarly Synthesis
Type the Claim
Is it a fact, an interpretation, or a value judgment? Misfiled claims cause most arguments. Naming the type is half the work.
Section 02Scholarly Synthesis
Trace and Corroborate
Follow claims to primary sources and seek independent — ideally hostile — corroboration. A hostile witness who concedes a point is gold.
Section 03Scholarly Synthesis
Calibrate and State Confidence
Match your certainty to the evidence and say it out loud. 'Probably,' 'contested,' and 'unknown' are honest words.
Sources cited