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Using primary sources
What is a primary source in history? It is a source that gives first-hand information about a period in history. It may be an eyewitness account, a photograph, a film, or a poster or document that dates from the time you are studying.
Here is a list of some of the main questions to think about when you are dealing with primary sources:
Identification
- What type of document is it?
- Who produced it? Do you know anything about the author?
- When was it written?
- Why was it written?
Understanding
- Consider the key words and their meaning within the source.
- What points/arguments are made in the source?
- What values/attitudes does the content of the source reflect?
- How does the content of the source relate to a given historical situation?
- Are there any clues about the intended audience for the source?
- How reliable is the source and does it have any limitations?
- How does it relate to other sources from this period? Does it share the same ideas, attitudes and arguments? How would you explain any differences between these sources?
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