ORIGIN – PURPOSE & Primary and Secondary Sources Document Analysis ORIGIN • When and where was the source produced? • Author/creator? • Primary or secondary source? ORIGINS • Date of original publication • Date of any additional additions • Location of publication • How might the time, place, and author of this work affect the work produced? • For example: George Washington writing about Valley Forge will have a different interpretation than General Cornwallis. Primary Sources • Closest to the event • Any examples? • Original documents, creative works, and artifacts • Ex: Eyewitness accounts, diaries, records Secondary Sources • Based on primary sources-one step removed from event • An researcher’s (historian’s) interpretation of the primary sources • Examples? • Magazine or newspaper articles, history essays or books, biographies PURPOSE • Why was source produced? • What is the immediate historical context for it? • Who is the intended audience? • What does it “say” at surface level? • What does it say below the surface? PURPOSE Why did the author write/draw/compose this work? * Consider the audience * Does this author have something to hide? * Is he/she trying to convince anyone of something? * For example: Is this a textbook that is written to inform a high school student, or a press conference given to reassure the british public? What is? 1-The Origin? 2-The Purpose? Example-Don’t write this down • A historian is analyzing a private entry in President Truman’s diary concerning the possible use of atomic weapons in Japan. The following is a general OP review. More specific analysis are shown details in the document. • Origin: President of the US, a private, primary source. Context = World War II and the aftermath of Germany’s surrender and the looming invasion of Japan. • Purpose: personal journal meant for later reflection and recall. Private, not public. Interpretation of what it says (literally) and what it may reflect would be based on specific document.
