Help in History

Name:______________________________________________________________

Primary Source Analysis # 2

Directions: Choose one of the following assigned primary sources to answer the questions below. Answer the questions in complete sentences. All of the primary sources can be found on the course e-learn page (under the content tab).

A. The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano

B. The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

C. Declaration of Independence

D. Toussaint L’Overture, “Letters to the Directory”

E. Lady Mary Wortley Montague, “Letter on Turkish Smallpox Inoculation” (in-class handout)

1. Identify the Source

A. What type of primary source document it is? (Ex. Letter, government document, book, etc.)

Who created this source, and what do I know about him/her/them?

C. When and where was the source created?

2. Contextualize the Source

A. Based on the assigned readings and lecture, what was going on in the place and time that led to this source being created?

How is the person(s) who created the source connected to that historical context?

C. What was the author’s main argument? What is message that the author is trying to convey?

3. Explore the Source

A. What factual information is conveyed in this source?

What is implied? What opinions are expressed?

C. What is not said in this source?

D. What is surprising or interesting about the source?

4. Analyze the Source

How does the author try to get their message across? What methods does he/she use? What can the author’s choice of words tell you?

5. Evaluate the source

How does this source compare to one of the other primary sources assigned in this unit?