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Generic Primary Source Analysis

Last updated about 6 years ago
15 questions
Note from the author:
A generic template for primary source analysis. Works with any written primary source. Suitable for Middle and High School!
How to use this formative!
This formative contains generic questions, designed to work with any written primary source. Many of the questions are based on the National Archives' excellent resources.

Feel free to delete questions that don't apply to your source, modify questions so that they apply better, and/or to add your own questions!

Remember to:
  • Add an answer key to questions to enable autograding
  • Adjust the number of points each question is worth
  • Adjust whether you want students to be able to earn partial credit on each question
  • Tag your own standards (currently, questions are tagged with Indiana Academic Standards: United States History for High School)
  • Add a header image, to the formative, if you'd like to!

Want to see an example of this formative with a primary source? Check out this link or use clone code: XNHVHS.
1

What type of document is your source?

1

Describe the source's appearance. Think about:
  • Is it handwritten or typed?
  • What material is it written / typed on?
  • Are there any stamps or marks on it?
  • What else can you see?

2

When was this document written, and how do you know? Be as specific as possible.

2
2
2

Summarize the content of the document in 2 - 5 sentences.

1

Why did the author write this document? What was their main purpose?

4

Give at least two pieces of evidence from the document to support the purpose you chose in the previous question.
Explain how each piece of evidence supports your choice of purpose.

4

What was happening in history at the time this document was created?
(Only include details about events, people, and movements that might be relevant to this source.)

2

What have you found out from this document, that you might not learn from anywhere else?

1

Is the author of this document biased?

4

Give at least two pieces of evidence from the document to support your answer to the previous question.
Explain how each piece of evidence supports your answer. Think about:
  • The language used by the author
  • The author's purpose for writing
  • The author's intended audience
  • The historical context

2

How could you find out more about this historical situation? Think about:
  • Other primary sources of information
  • Secondary sources of information
Be specific when referring to sources that you could use.

1

Find another source on this historical situation. Compare and contrast the information you find in that source with the information you have found in this source by completing this venn diagram. Think about:
  • Each author's purpose in writing their source
  • Each author's intended audience
  • Each author's bias

5

What is your opinion about this historical situation? Use the knowledge you have gained from primary and secondary sources to answer.

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