primary source analysis ( History)

PSA 2 Guidelines, Strategy, and Criteria

As we move into unit 2, we want to consider and reemphasize core components of PSA 1 and the skills we want to build on going into the PSA 2. And Remember, if any of this is unclear- PLEASE reach out for help. Look at the Rubric, Talk to you TA, schedule an online conference for help.

What?: 1-2 Page analysis on one primary source selected from the Primary Source Projects in chapters 19-23. For PSA 2, we want to hone this skill and examine a single source within whichever Primary Source Project you choose. You still get to pick which source/source project to consider. This time, however, you will only pick one single source. Why?: The goal(s) with all primary source projects in this class are to: 1) Consider why a source was created? A) Is this author’s goal to give an objective account (descriptive)? B) or Is the author’s goal to persuade the reader of a specific Interpretation/perspective on an event/idea/issue(prescriptive)? Be clear about which of the two you think the source/author is doing. 2) Consider why who the author is matters? A) What about the time/place/context the author lived in affects their Interpretation or perspective on things? This is a key component of Identifying bias. We all bring our own biases to any story. Even trying to be unbiased creates a certain viewpoint on issues/events. It is human. And even authors striving to be objective have prejudices/ biases that shape their perspective. B) What is the author’s agenda in creating the source? Writing something down took time, effort, and resources. No-one does this without a goal in mind, and sometimes this isn’t even obvious to the author or on purpose. Yet, it can be found by the objective reader. Be clear in your interpretation of how the author’s biases/agendas shape their telling of the story. THIS IS HOW YOU WILL LEARN TO DECIDE WHETHER INFORMATION IS TRUSTWORTHY OR NOT. How?: Keeping in mind the two main goals of the exercise, remember the goal here is to create an analysis of the source/author, not a summary. There is an easy trick to figure out which your essay does by simply asking these two questions: 1) Am I explaining what the source says?(summary) or why you think it says so(analysis)? 2) Am I naming who the author is?(summary) or why who the author is/where/ when they lived matters in how they tell the story?(analysis). 3) Remember evidence matters in authority. Power isn’t about who talks the loudest or most. It’s who can back it up and prove they know what they’re talking about. Cite evidence from the readings/lectures that back up your argument.

And Remember: Formats and Deadlines Matter: 1-2 pages, with citations of some kind, submitted on time. THIS IS HOW YOU GET FULL CREDIT.