Source Analysis Skills

What does the 'message' of a source mean?

• The point that is being made in the source.

• The setting and focus of the source.

• The author's opinion, attitude and point of view in the source.

• What makes the source helpful to historians and in what ways the source doesn't help.

How do you explain the message of a source?

• Identify the message of the source and what evidence you can see within the source.

• Identify what evidence you can see in the source and the focus of the source.

• Identify the focus of the source and outline the causes or events that led to the focus of the source.

• Outline the causes or events that led to the focus of the source and provide specific detail for the focus of the source.

What is the 'historical context' of a source?

• The setting and focus of the source.

• The author's opinion, attitude and point of view in the source

• What makes the source helpful for historians and in what ways it doesn't help.

• The point that is being made in the source.

How do you explain the historical context of a source?

• Identify the focus of the source, outline the causes or events that led to the focus and provide specific detail for the focus.

• Outline the causes or events that led to the focus of the source, provide specific detail for the focus and identify the perspective of the source.

• Provide specific detail for the focus of the source, identify the perspective of the source and provide reasons for this perspective.

• Identify the perspective of the source, provide reasons for this perspective and evidence of this perspective.

In explaining the historical context of a source, you should make sure you are analysing and referencing the source constantly.

• TRUE

• FALSE

What is the author's 'perspective' in a source?

• The author's opinion, attitude and point of view in the source.

• What makes the source helpful to historians and in what ways it doesn't help.

• The point that is being made in the source.

• The setting and focus of the source.

How do you identify and account for the author's perspective in a source?

• Identify the perspective of the source, provide reasons for this perspective and evidence of this perspective.

• Provide reasons for the author's perspective in the source, evidence of this perspective and state whether the source is useful.

• Provide evidence of the author's perspective in the source, state whether the source is useful and whether the information is factual or based on opinion.

• State whether the source is useful, whether the information is factual or based on opinion and the limitations.

How do you provide reasons for an author's perspective in a source.

• You should comment on the author's motive, purpose, time, place and bias.

• You should select key words and phrases which best illustrate the views expressed in the source.

• You should identify whether the source is a piece of propaganda.

• You should identify any gaps or omissions within the source.

What is the 'usefulness' of a source?

• What makes the source helpful to historians and in what ways it doesn't help.

• The point that is being made in the source.

• The setting and focus of the source.

• The author's opinion, attitude and point of view in the source.

How do you explain the usefulness and limitations of a source?

• State whether the source is useful, whether the information is factual or based on perspective and the limitations.

• State whether the information in the source is factual or based on perspective, the limitations and identify the issues or events.

• State the limitations of the source, identify the message and the evidence of this.

• Identify the message of the source, the evidence of this and the focus.