Find two newspaper articles on a chosen topic from the latter half of the 19th century (1865-1899). Choose articles/essays written by two authors, perhaps even from different parts of the country, who reported on the same issue (industry, politics, immigration, women’s rights, civil rights, etc.)
After selecting your topic, write a brief essay, up to two pages, about the author’s reliability. When evaluating the author’s reliability, consider their background, reputation, and any biases they may have towards the subject matter.
For instance, you may choose to compare the difference in opinion of a man writing about the Women’s Movement versus a woman writing about the Women’s Movement. Conversely, you may focus on two women who have differing opinions on the necessity of the Women’s Movement. If you were to write about Radical Reconstruction, you could focus on the opinion of a white southern Democrat writing about Black male politicians versus a Black male politician or even a white northern Republican writing on the same issue.
Make sure to proofread your essay carefully. Ensure that the essay is concise, well-structured, and presents a clear analysis of the topic and the author’s reliability. Remember to cite the sources used in the body of the paper and include a works cited page.