Think about the difference between trying to accomplish something with a strategy versus without a strategy. For example, most good athletes know that their performance will get a lot better if they learn strategies for approaching a game. Sometimes these strategies depend on "reading" an opponent to figure out how he or she approaches the game, and then responding in a way that counters that strategy.
Today's lesson will show you several strategies for reading history more efficiently and effectively. First, though, practice identifying the kind of information presented in historical text. Read each paragraph and decide if the passage is more about a sequence of events or more about a main idea. Then click the passage to check your answer.
Sequence of Events or Main Idea?
Chinese legends say that the Empress Hsi Ling-shi discovered silk around 2700 B.C. The Emperor had ordered her to find out what was wrong with the mulberry trees in his garden. She found them covered with white worms spinning spiraling cocoons. By accident, the Empress dropped a cocoon into hot water. A cobweb-like mass separated, and the Empress discovered it was made from a single, slender thread. The secret of making silk remained with the Chinese for 3,000 years
This paragraph presents a sequence of events. Note that the story presented is a legend, though--it's not necessarily based on historical fact.
Sequence of Events or Main Idea?
Kite-flying has been a popular sport in China for many centuries, but it wasn't always fun and games. During the Han Dynasty, kites were used as military devices. Soldiers made kites that would fly very high, and attached pieces of bamboo to them. When the kites flew over enemy encampments, they made a whistling sound which frightened the enemy away--or at least made them very nervous.
This paragraph develops a main idea--that the history of kite-flying has other roots besides entertainment.
Sequence of Events or Main Idea?
In ancient Rome, the father of the family had total power over all the members of his household. He owned all that was in the house--wife, children, slaves, and furniture. He could even sell his children into slavery! As long as his father was still alive, a grown son couldn’t own any property, start a business, or have legal authority even over his own children. Most households were very large, as all the married sons and their families lived there with the sons’ parents.
This paragraph develops a main idea--that family and social life in Rome was centered on the father figure.
Sequence of Events or Main Idea?
In ancient Rome, marriages were arranged by the parents, frequently for political or financial purposes. The future husband would give the girl gifts, and a contract would be signed and sealed with a kiss. Usually the ceremony took place in the bride’s home. She wore a pure white tunic and a flame-colored veil over her head, with sandals matching the color of her veil. A sacrifice was made, usually of a pig. Then the woman would say, “Whichever family you belong to, I also belong.” All the guests called out “Good Luck!” and the marriage was sealed. The man led his wife to his own house, where she was carried over the threshold to avoid stumbling, which the Romans considered very unlucky.
This paragraph describes the sequence of events that occurred during a typical wedding ceremony in ancient Rome.
Sequence of Events or Main Idea?
Later, after the Roman Republic became an empire, women began to enjoy more freedoms and rights. Upper-class women started to become educated, and there are many examples of the wives of politicians, generals, and emperors having an important influence on events. In the later years of the Roman Empire, women could own property and make business arrangements. When she was divorced, a woman could keep her own money or property. Women were still not allowed to vote or hold public office, but most girls were no longer forced to marry whomever their father chose for them.
This paragraph develops the main idea that the lives of some women improved after Rome grew from a city to an empire.
Summary
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