L iterature is a valuable source for historians, although students often overlook the merits it has in enhancing their knowledge, understanding and skill of the discipline of history. This article looks at the different types of literature that can be used as source material, the approaches needed to assess its validity and examples of how it can be used to broaden one’s attitude to the study of history in general.
A literary source is a piece of writing that stems intentionally from the imagination of an individual. It is commonly referred to as fiction and usually takes the form of a novel, play or poem. However, within these categories there are sub-categories and genres that have emerged under the influence of the time and place in which the writer lived. Regardless of the type of literature being considered, it has several strengths and weaknesses when deployed as a historical source.
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