1. historiography
(n.) the study of writing history and of written histories

2. Claims
1. Singapore’s historical narrative of the riots contributed to the building of our national identity.
2. The limited availability of evidence constrains the narratives of the riots.
3. The interpretations of the riots vary depending on the perspective taken.

3. Case Study: Hock Lee Bus Riots
Who:
Participants → Fong Swee Suan, Chinese Middle School students, strikers
Casualties → 4 killed, 31 injured
Where:
Alexandra Bus Depot
When:
April to May 1955
Why:
The workers’ rioting for equal rights were supported by pro-Communists

4. Situation. Beginning.
Trigger. Rising Action.
Climax. Cooling off. Resolution.

5. “History is a selection of a selection.”
The Singapore Story
Crossroads: A Popular History & Singapore
Point of View:
Lee Kuan Yew
American author [3rd party]
Purpose:
Personal memoir/autobiography
To provide an accessible account of Singapore history
Evidence:
Uses accurate and available evidence to support claims and narrative
“History is a selection of a selection.”
Unknown

6. Claims
1. Singapore’s historical narrative of the riots contributed to the building of our national identity.
2. The limited availability of evidence constrains the narratives of the riots.
3. The interpretations of the riots vary depending on the perspective taken.

7. Purpose
1. National identity
2. Resilience
3. Lessons

8. Claims
1. Singapore’s historical narrative of the riots contributed to the building of our national identity.
2. The limited availability of evidence constrains the narratives of the riots.
3. The interpretations of the riots vary depending on the perspective taken.

9. Evidence How true. How accessible. “Different shades of emphasis.”
Albert Lau

10. Claims
1. Singapore’s historical narrative of the riots contributed to the building of our national identity.
2. The limited availability of evidence constrains the narratives of the riots.
3. The interpretations of the riots vary depending on the perspective taken.

11. Perspective PAP. Communists. Third party.
“Until the lion has his historian, the hunter will always be the hero.”
Relando Thompkins
Perspective
PAP.
Communists.
Third party.

12. Histories Perspectives Purpose Evidence Connections
Different perspectives = Different purposes
Influences
Limits / Broadens
Purpose
affects selection of
Evidence
Connections

13. Historiographies Perspectives Purpose Evidence Connections
Different perspectives = Different purposes
Influences
Limits / Broadens
Purpose
affects selection of
Evidence
Connections

14. Historiographies Perspectives Purpose Evidence Connections
Different perspectives = Different purposes
Influences
Limits / Broadens
Purpose
affects selection of
Evidence
Connections

15. Historiographies Perspectives Purpose Evidence Connections
Different perspectives = Different purposes
Influences
Limits / Broadens
Purpose
affects selection of
Evidence
Connections

16. Historiographies Perspectives Purpose Evidence Connections
Different perspectives = Different purposes
Influences
Limits / Broadens
Purpose
affects selection of
Evidence
Connections

17. Different perspectives have different purposes for narrating history.
Conclusion
Different perspectives have different purposes for narrating history.
Purposes affect the evidence selected.
Evidence may limit or broaden one’s perspective.
Evidence might change one’s original perspective.

18. Thank you.