Historical thinking skills · AP U.S. History, AP World History: Modern
Corroboration
Corroboration: Comparing sources to see where they agree or disagree, to test the reliability of each account.
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What it means
Corroboration checks one source against others. When independent sources agree, a claim is more credible; when they disagree, the disagreement itself becomes evidence about perspective and purpose.
Corroboration is a core method of historians and works hand in hand with sourcing.
Example
A planter's diary describes his plantation as orderly and content, while a formerly enslaved person's narrative describes the same kind of plantation as violent. Comparing them reveals how position shaped each account.
On the exam
In the DBQ, grouping documents that corroborate each other strengthens your argument, and explaining disagreements can support sourcing and complexity.
Lessons and practice questions
Related terms
- SourcingAnalyzing how a document's point of view, purpose, historical situation or audience shapes its content and its usefulness as evidence.
- Complexity (AP history rubric)A sustained, nuanced understanding of a historical development, demonstrated through sophisticated argument or effective use of evidence.