When you examine a social media post or other kinds of source material, you are not just processing the information at face value but also interpreting it through the lens of your own experiences and knowledge. This interpretation is dynamic; as you consult other sources and gather new information, your understanding of the original material evolves, leading to new interpretations. 

Thus, source criticism encourages you to recognize the interpretative nature of your work. It provides a framework for assessing sources and truth claims, acknowledging that the process of understanding is ongoing and shaped by your interactions with various sources.  

Here are some questions you might ask to examine interpretations of sources or source material.

• Is the source the original creator of the material or a secondary source?
• What interpretations are present in the material?
• Does the source material present facts, or does it include analysis and opinions?
• Did the source create the material, or are they just sharing it?
• Does the secondary or tertiary source provide interpretations, or do they simply relay the information?
• What is your initial understanding of the information provided?
• How does knowing the source influence your interpretation of the material?
• How does your perspective on the material change with further research, genre knowledge, or sociocultural context?
• How does public reception of the source material affect your interpretation?
• How will future information about this source shape your understanding?

The image is generated by SCAM using Midjourney