Source Analysis

Write 1 page analyzing a primary source you will be using for your final paper. Choose the source that is representative of the kinds of sources you will be using (i.e. if your paper is about photography, choose a photograph; if your paper is based mostly on newspaper sources, choose a newspaper article).

First, write a short paragraph, describing the kinds of primary sources you plan to use and why you chose them.

Then, choose one representative source and analyze it. Ask the following questions of your source:
1. Who created it and why?
2. What is it's intended audience?
3. What information does it convey?
4. How is it biased?
5. Why did you choose this source to answer the major question of your paper?

To help you analyze your source, you can check examples of source analysis by experienced historians at http://historymatters.gmu.edu/browse/makesense/