Guidelines for Analyzing a Primary Source
Below are the questions you are to answer when analyzing the primary sources:
Introduction: The introduction should answer the following:
- What is the title of the primary source?
- When was the primary source created?
- Who was the author of the primary source?
- Who, or what group, is the intended audience for the source?
The Body: The body paragraphs [no less than 2] should answer the following:
- What are three [3] things or observations the author said that you think are important? Why are they important?
- Write a quote from the primary source that you think is important. Why do you believe it is important?
- What chapter[s]/page number[s] in the textbook is the topic[s], issue[s], time period discussed?
The Conclusion: The conclusion should answer the following:
- What questions do you have about the document, or topic of the document, that were left unanswered?
- How does the primary source broaden or enrich your understanding of the topic?
Label each section [Introduction, Body, Conclusion].
Write answers in complete sentence and paragraph form. Spelling and grammar count. Provide an answer for each question above. Points will be deducted for each question not answered. Of course, no plagiarism.
Five [5] points will be deducted for:
- each question that is not fully answered.
- not written in complete sentence and paragraph form.
- for each day late.
Ten [10] points will be deducted for not indicating the chapter and page or section number in the textbook where the topic [s], issue [s], and/or time period [s] of the source is mentioned.
