Keep in mind that the same skills you use to read and analyze historical sources can also be applied to current sources of information, such as newspaper articles, social media posts, television reports, and commercial advertisements. By practicing these skills now, you will not only develop your ability to perform historical research and think like a historian, you will also become a more skilled consumer of information in general.
Part 1: Meet the Primary Source
What type of primary source is this?
Types could include a letter, speech, court transcript, legislation, diary entry, photograph, artifact, map, broadside, circular, political cartoon, artwork, etc.
Provide a brief description of something you notice about the source, as if you were explaining to someone who can’t see it.
For example, you might describe its physical appearance, its formal title (if it has one), its type of language, its size or length, or anything else in particular that stands out to you.
Part 2: Observe its Parts
Who wrote it or created it? Was it one person, or was it a group, like an organization?
When was it written or otherwise created?
What are two things you know about the personal background or beliefs of the person or group who created it?
Was the source meant to be public or private? If public, who do you think was the intended audience?
Part 3: Interpret its Meaning: Historical Context
Describe two other things that were happening at the time the source was created.
Careful! In some cases, this could be different from the time the source describes or portrays.
How does that context (or background information) help you understand why it was created?
Part 4: Interpret its Meaning: Main Point and Purpose
What is the main idea or point of the source? Use specific evidence from the source itself to support your answer.
Why do you think this primary source was made? Provide evidence from your prior responses to support your answer.
For example, was its purpose simply to inform? To persuade? To sensationalize? Or something else?
Part 5: Use it as Historical Evidence
What are two historical questions this source could help you to answer?
What are two pieces of information the source presents that you should “fact check” (verify as true) by checking other primary or secondary sources?
This primary source shows one perspective on this event or topic. What are two other perspectives you should get to better understand this event or topic, and why?
