Summary
Highlights
External criticism focuses on the authenticity or genuineness of a document. It's also known as 'lower criticism' and deals with the physical aspects of a source. Questions asked include: Is this document authentic? Who was the real author? When and where was it written? Why did it survive?
External criticism involves applying scientific methods and technical tests to a document. For instance, dating the paper of a document like Jose Rizal's diary helps determine its authenticity by checking if the materials existed during his time.
Once a document's authenticity is established, internal criticism, or 'higher criticism,' assesses the accuracy and reliability of its content. This involves reading what is written to determine if the information is truthful and consistent.
Internal criticism questions include: Was the account from an eyewitness or second-hand? What was the motive behind its writing? What is the literal meaning and connotations of the document? Is there internal consistency? It also involves considering the motives of the person providing the data to determine the truth from within the data itself.