Helpful Hints on Source Analysis

GUIDE TO SOURCE ANALYSIS AT SCHOOL/COLLEGE

REMEMBER: EVERY SOURCE PAINTS A P.I.C.T.U.R.E. OF THE PAST!

P r o v e n a n c e   (origin, where did it come from?)

I n t e n d e d   a u d i e n c e   (who was it written for and what was the writer’s motive?)

C o n t e n t    (what can we see in the source itself)

T o n e / n a t u r e   (is it aggressive, persuasive, informative, derogatory?)

U t i l i t y / u s e f u l n e s s   (does it help answer a question or enquiry?)

R e l i a b i l i t y  (can it be trusted?)

E v a l u a t i o n (summing up what we can get from the source, judging its value)

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