Compare Source
Perspectives
Learn to compare how different sources treat the same event: their facts, tone, and point of view.
What is a Perspective?
A perspective is the particular point of view from which a source describes an event. Two reliable sources can report the same facts but emphasize different details, use different tone, and reach different conclusions.
Key Terms
Why Compare Sources?
The Core Rule
When the answers differ, you have located a difference in treatment. When they match, you have found common ground that is likely reliable.
Map What They Share
Fact vs. Interpretation
| Fact | Interpretation | |
|---|---|---|
| Can be verified? | Yes | No, it's opinion |
| Varies by source? | Rarely | Often |
| Example | "Tax rose 5%" | "The tax was unfair" |
How to Compare: 4 Steps
Worked Example 1
Source A (factory owner): "The new machines doubled output and created prosperity."
Source B (worker): "The new machines doubled output but cut our jobs in half."
Worked Example 2
Worked Example 3
Source A (1920 letter): "Women voting will weaken the family."
Source B (modern textbook): "The 19th Amendment expanded democracy to women."
Common Mistakes
Comparison Checklist
| Element | Ask Yourself |
|---|---|
| Facts | What do both sources agree on? |
| Tone | Is the language neutral, positive, or critical? |
| Conclusion | What judgment does each source reach? |
| Author & Purpose | Who wrote it, and why? |
| Time Period | When was it created? |
Quick Recap
Next, test your skill with five practice questions.
Question 1 of 5
Two sources describe the same flood. Source A says "20 homes were damaged"; Source B says "the disaster destroyed the community's spirit." Which statement is a verifiable fact, as opposed to an interpretation?
Question 2 of 5
A factory owner and a worker describe the same new machines very differently. The difference in their treatment is best explained by their:
Question 3 of 5
Editorial: "The protest brought downtown to a chaotic standstill, costing businesses dearly."
Protest flyer: "Thousands gathered peacefully to demand fair wages for all workers."
What do both sources agree on?
Question 4 of 5
A 1920 letter calls women voting "dangerous," while a modern textbook calls it "an expansion of democracy." This difference is best explained by:
Question 5 of 5
Which question would best help you compare how two sources treat the same event?
You're Ready
You can now compare how sources treat the same event: their facts, tone, and conclusions. Keep asking who wrote it, why, and when.