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PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYSIS WORKSHEET
Evaluation strategies outlined on this page will help you utilize, integrate, and evaluate primary sources in
written assignments. Read and review the evidence contained in the sources carefully, looking for obvious
omissions, as well as clues the past reflected in the text of the document.
1.
ITEM IDENTIFICATION
(digital collection and/or fonds, accession, box, and file #s and title or
description):
2.
TYPE OF THE DOCUMENT
(check
one):
o Newspaper/article
o
Screenplay
o Letter
o Manuscripts
o
Memorandum
o Government document
o
Press release
o Legal records
o Advertisement
o Financial records
o Financial records
o
Postcard
o Book
o Map
o Magazine/article
o
Email
o Sheet music
o
Diaries/Journals
o Identification document
o Report
o Other: ___________________
3.
UNIQUE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DOCUMENT
(check one or more):
o Interesting letterhead
o “RECEIVED” stamp
o Handwritten
o Typed
o
Seals
o Notations
o Other: ___________________
Explain why it’s interesting or significant:
4.
DATE(S) OF THE DOCUMENT:
5.
AUTHOR (OR CREATOR) OF THE DOCUMENT:
POSITION (TITLE):
