Primary Source Analysis
Observe a primary source and record your thoughts
- What is happening in the item?
- What just happened, or what is about to happen?
- Explain how the source tells its story.
Think about the Creator, Audience, Context
- What is the author/creator's point of view?
- What is the author/creator's purpose?
- Who is the intended audience for this material?
For inquiry-based learning, ask students to:
- explain how a source tells its story and/or makes its argument
- explain the relationships between sources
- compare and contrast sources in terms of point of view and method
- support conclusions and interpretations with evidence
- identify questions for further investigation
Analysis Worksheets
- Analyzing Books and Other Printed Texts: Teacher's Guide, Library of Congress.
- Analyzing Photographs and Prints: Teacher's Guide, Library of Congress.
- Analyzing Primary Sources: Teacher's Guide, Library of Congress.
- Written Document [Worksheets for Novice or Younger Students, or Those Learning English], National Archives
- Written Document [Worksheets for Intermediate or Secondary Students], National Archives.
- Photograph [Worksheets for Novice or Younger Students, or Those Learning English], National Archives
- Photograph [Worksheets for Intermediate or Secondary Students], National Archives.
- Understanding Perspective in Primary Sources, National Archives.
Courtesy of DPLA, Minnesota Digital Library, Library of Congress, and the National Archives.