Source Analysis

Sources:  Choose a source written in the period and places covered in the course that illustrates something about this historical epoch (no more than 10 pp. total).  I will provide further guidance on locating primary sources.

Format:  The first page should include at the top your name and a full citation of the source (author, title, editor/translator, title of collection, publisher, year, pages).  If you refer to specific passages (paraphrase and summary, not just quotation), give chapter, verse, or page numbers in parentheses as appropriate.  Pay close attention to grammar, spelling, punctuation, and paragraphing. Number the answers to the questions and answer the questions in order.  Your analysis should be about 4-5 pages, typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins.

While reading the source:  Consider the original author's purpose and biases (NOT the editor's).  Did the author have first-hand knowledge of the events?  How did the author collect the information?  Who was the audience?  Which side appears in the most favorable light?  Also consider the hidden potential of the source.  What assumptions does the author make about attitudes and society?  What aspects of daily life, government, or religion does the author mention in passing?

What to say in the analysis: 

          Your paper should include the following information presented in numbered subsections:

          1.  Historical background of the source.  What was happening at the time that the source was written?  How did this affect the writer of the source?   Be sure to indicate the source(s) of your information. In the case of anonymous sources, what can you deduce about the author from the source itself?  [about half a page]

          2.  Context of the source.  Who wrote it?  When?  Why?  What is it about?  For whom did the author write?  Did the author have a personal stake in how events turned out?  [about half a page]

          3.  Usefulness of the source.  What can be learned from the source?  Give examples of things which can (or cannot) be learned from the source.  How are the author's circumstances reflected in the source?  Give specific examples of statements that are particularly biased or particularly even-handed.  Is the information easily quantifiable?  If so, consider including a table as an example of how to analyze the source quantitatively.  If not, discuss the most applicable interpretive approaches to the source (literary, historical, etc.).  Is the work vague and abstract?  Or does the author include a wealth of details that tell about daily material life?  Does the author reveal anything about general societal attitudes (e.g. towards religion, kingship, family life)?  Does the author offer insights into the specific historical events or personages?  Try to go beyond a consideration of the basic facts presented in the source to analysis of larger insights into history which might be gained from the source.  Note that not all questions are applicable for all sources.  Organize this section into coherent paragraphs; do not feel that you have to address all questions raised her in any particular order (how you organize will depend on your source).   [two or three pages]

          4.  Conclusion.  What is your overall assessment of the source?  What are its strongest and weakest points?  How could this source best be used for research?  [up to one page, but at least half a page]

          Note that none of these are simple yes/no questions.  Question 3, in particular, requires an answer the length of a short paper.