1.) Who was the author (gender, social class, religious view, occupation)?
2.) What is the genre of the source (history, letter, satire, tax receipt, cookbook)?
3.) Who was the intended audience of the document (gender, social class, religious view–hint: remember there can be more than one audience)?
4.) What is the author’s purpose in writing? Do you think the author accomplished this purpose successfully?
5.) When and where was the source written (how soon after the events describe and how far away)?
6.) What does this source tell us the society that produced the source? What does it tell us about the lives of the people who lived in that society? This could be a major section of the paper.
7.) What does this source tell us about the attitudes and beliefs of the author and audience? How did they view the world, understand themselves and the divine? This could be a major section of the paper.
8.) What does this source not tell us? Listen to the silences. What would you expect to learn from the author that does not come through?

Guidelines

A. Your paper should have an introduction, introducing your topic, and a conclusion, summarizing what you have accomplished. Your paper should also include (in the first few paragraphs) a thesis, in which you state an argument about the historical significance of the text(s). In your paper you will site evidence from the text to support your thesis. At the beginning of the essay, clearly identify your primary source(s).

B. You should use your textbooks, and basic reference works to compliment your understanding of the primary source(s) and answer the questions above, but your own analysis of the primary source(s) should be the central focus of your paper. Include a bibliography of any sources consulted.

C. Think through what you wish your paper to say and proof read carefully for ideas and clarity of expression. Incomplete sentences, spelling and/or grammatical mistakes will negatively affect your grade.