HIST 1101 – First Half Assignment Part 1: Primary Source Analysis
Primary Source Analysis
You will be assigned a primary source from the weekly readings for which you must write a
primary source analysis that addresses specific questions.
*Your primary source will be assigned to you in Class 3. There will also be a list in backboard.
Each person in the class will be assigned a different primary source. You cannot choose a
different source or swap your source with another person in the class.
Your Analysis should begin with a paragraph (4-5 sentences) explaining the historical context of
the primary source you have been assigned and the issue(s) it concerns. The remainder of the
analysis must address the Seven Questions for Primary Sources, which are listed below. For
the sake of clarity, please number your answers according to the seven questions and answer
with a paragraph for each question. If you wish, you can conclude with a brief paragraph with
some final remarks.
You will need to do some research for your Primary Source Analysis. Please use Chicago Style
footnotes1 if you borrow material/ideas and include a Chicago Style bibliography at the end of
your paper.
Your analysis should be 1.5 to 2 pages (single spaced) with the paragraphs numbered in
reference to the seven questions, ie: Context, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7. Remember to include a bibliography
at the end.
Primary Source Analysis Criteria: Quality of contextualization, Ability to address and thoughtfully
engage with the source in answers to the seven questions, correct footnoting and bibliography,
quality of writing and page length.
Context:
Briefly introduce the source by informing us where and when it was produced. Try to provide
some information about the political and cultural context of the time.
Seven Questions for Primary Sources
1. Who is the Author?
What is their background? An author's identity sometimes helps you answer the later questions.
2. What Type of source is this?
Is it a photograph, a poem, a personal journal, or a government document? This is a simple but
crucial step because you must consider what you can expect to learn from the document.
3. What is the Message of this source?
What is the author describing? What is happening in the text or image? What is the story?
4. Who is the intended audience?
Who is the author addressing? Was the source intended for private or public consumption?
Identifying the audience will help you answer the next question.
5. Why was this source created?
Does the author have an agenda, a larger purpose? Is the author trying to persuade the
1
There will instruction on Chicago Style footnotes and bibliography in another part of the First Half Assignment.
HIST 1101 – First Half Assignment Part 1: Primary Source Analysis
audience? Is the document or source simply a compilation of facts, or does it include opinion,
inference, or interpretation?
6. Is this source credible and accurate?
Be critical. Does the document make sense? Do the facts presented by the author or what you
know about the time period support the thesis, statement, assertion, or story the author is
conveying? Is the author biased, if so, what do you think accounts for their bias? Why should
you trust, or distrust, this source?
7. How is this source valuable to us?
How does the source relate to other sources from the time period or along the same issue or
theme? Does it support or contradict them? Does it repeat information from other sources or
add new information?
*Don’t forget to footnote and to include a bibliography.