history

Roman Civilization

Approaching the Sources in Your Analysis

Remember that your sources can be primary sources such as an archeological artifact, a piece of literature, or original writing, as well as secondary resources about the event. Be sure to read the specific source closely. Read it a first time, then a second, and even a third if necessary. As you review the source, ask yourself questions:

·         Who is the author and what is his or her place in society?

·         What is the purpose of the piece? Why was it written?

·         What values or ideas are behind the content in the source? How are they different from my own?

·         Is the piece credible? Why or why not?

·         Can the piece be used to support a historical debate? Why or why not?

While your analysis will not directly answer all these questions separately, the picture that is painted by your answers to these questions is essential in constructing and supporting your analysis. You will use the primary and secondary sources to support your paper, but the analysis should be your own and not reflect others’ interpretations of the source. You should use a mix of primary and secondary sources to ensure that you are able to effectively support your interpretation of this topic and its impact on the civilization.

Format

Analysis paper assignments should follow these formatting guidelines: Use of three sources, 2 to 3 pages (not including the bibliography section), double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and citations in Turabian format.