Bias

Read the source carefully and try to answer the questions below. A transcript and an enlarged version is available.

Take a close look at the title page of the book.

(1) When was this book written? Who is the author?

(2) Can we make any assumptions about the contents of the book just by looking at the title page?

Now read pages 5-6 from the book. Start at the beginning of the first full paragraph on p5 and end after the last full paragraph on p6.

(3) Who does the author blame for the outbreak of Civil War in England?

(4) What words does he use to describe the actions of Charles I?

(5) What words does he use to describe the opponents of Charles I?

(6) Is his language biased?

(7) What does this mean for historians?

Now read this source and try to answer the questions below. A transcript and an enlarged version are available.

(1) Take a close look at the title page. From the information on this page do you think that the author is a Royalist (supporter of the King) or a supporter of the Parliamentarians (those who opposed the King during the Civil War)?

(2) Why do you think this?

Now read pages 4 to 5.

(3) What words does he use to describe Charles I?

(4) Do you think the author is biased?

(5) If you were studying the English Civil War and had read both the sources in this resource do you think you would need to look for any other information? Explain your answer.