primary source analysis paper

Primary Source Analysis Paper B

1) to analyze primary source “Lynch Law in America,” 1900

2) Put the source into historical context. “Racial Violence as Impetus for the Great

Migration,” JSTOR Daily. Utilize this as secondary source to help establish the context for

source.

In a succinct, complete paragraph, establish key details about the setting and time period of your

primary and secondary source. In order to construct this paragraph, you may consider answering

the questions below. However, these should be complete paragraphs, NOT bullet points. (Length:

0.5-1 page, double-spaced)

• Time: What do you know about the time period in which the source was written? What were

the relevant conflicts, events, and/or trends taking place at the time?

• Place: What region does the source originate from? What do you know about the region? Are

there any unique characteristics of the region we’ve covered in lecture or mentioned in your

textbook?

• What background information is most necessary to fully understand the significance of your

chosen source?

3) Analyze the source itself. In two complete, succinct paragraphs, analyze your source in

detail. In these paragraphs, you are exploring why this particular source is significant and

what it specifically reveals about the historical context in which it was written. You may

use the questions below to guide your analysis. Pick which question or questions you

think will help you highlight the most interesting aspects of your source, and build your

analysis from there. These should be complete paragraphs, NOT bullet points. (Length:

1-1.5 pages, double spaced)

a. Purpose: What was the author’s message or argument? Is the message explicit, or are

there implicit messages as well?

b. Methods: How does the author try to get his/her message across? What methods

does he or she use to communicate that message/argument?

c. Author: Who is the source’s author? What do you know about his/her place in society?

Does the author’s race, sex, class, occupation, religion, age, region, or political beliefs

impact the source’s purpose or methods? How and why?

d. Audience: Who constituted the intended audience for this source? Was this source

meant for the public?

e. Other Implications/Conclusions: What else can the source tell you? What are the

important metaphors or symbols? What do we learn from the author’s choice of words?

What does the author choose not to talk about, and why might that be important?

4) Formatting Details:

a. Total length: 1.5-2 pages, double-spaced.

b. Indicate your chosen primary source at the top of the first page.

c. Cite your sources.