Write two 4 paragraph articles on Primary Sources

Instructions

Primary Source Analysis (15% of final grade)

Introduction

OK, so what is a primary source? It can be defined as anything created by someone involved in an event, about the event. For example, it could be a diary or a picture. These are the raw bits of history and we use them to understand the people and events under study. Here are resources to help you prepare for this assignment:

 

What Are Primary Sources?

·         Library of Congress: Teaching with Primary Sources (video and transcript) – definition of primary and secondary sources and why use primary sources http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=6632

·         Library of Congress: Why Use Primary Sources http://www.loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/whyuse.html

Finding Primary Sources

·         Library of Congress: Finding Primary Sources http://www.loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/finding.html

·         National Archives: Finding Primary Sources http://www.archives.gov/education/research/primary-sources.html

How to Cite Primary Sources

·         Library of Congress: Citing Primary Sources – Chicago style http://www.loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/chicago.html

How do I Analyze Primary Sources?

·         Library of Congress: Analyzing a Primary Source (video and transcript) http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=6633

·         National Archives: Primary Source Analysis Worksheets – The National Archives has created analysis worksheets to help you work with primary sources. Copies of these worksheets are provided as attachments in the Primary Source Analysis assignment and also in Course Resources (under Content) The worksheets consist of a combination of checklists and short-answer questions that will help you focus on the most important elements of many different types of historical documents. You will need the worksheets to complete the Primary Source Analysis assignment.

Primary Source Analysis Instructions

I have provided a list of primary sources (see the Primary Source Analysis Module).  Choose two (2) of these sources and use them to complete this assignment. 

For EACH primary source:

· Explain the type of primary source (e.g. written document, cartoon, photograph, and so on). Do this in a brief paragraph. This paragraph will be the introduction to an essay on about the source. 

· Complete the worksheet in detail. The worksheet is located under the Primary Source Analysis Module. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TURN IN THE WORKSHEET.

· Write a narrative analysis of the primary source (an essay), using the information you collected on the worksheet. This means write an essay that discusses your source using the categories on the worksheet. This section should be detailed and thorough. You need at least 4 good paragraphs. 

· Create a bibliographic entry (as you would include it in your bibliography) for the primary source – in Chicago Humanities style

You will submit 2 attachments total, one for each source. All requirements for each source should be included in one single attachment.

Submit your work as a Word docx attachment via the link in Week 3 (under Content) or under Assignments (on the NavBar).

 

If you need writing or citation help please see the Course Resources Module; Writing Resources; Chicago Manual of Style Quick Guide; and Grammar Essentials- Excelsior College