Document Analysis Worksheet

A. Is the source official (i.e. from the government) or unofficial, private or public? Is this document a primary, secondary, or tertiary source? Explain.

B. List the main points conveyed by the document. What are the key words and ideas expressed?

C. Describe the historical event(s) that provided the impetus for the creation of this document. What can the reader glean about historical event(s) from reading this document? What specifically is it referring to?

D. Does this document contain political, geographic, social or other biases? Can you think of other documents that might contradict the narrative portrayed in this document?

E. To you what is the most important sentence or two from this document? Write a couple sentences explaining your quote’s significance.

F. In what ways was this document tailored for its intended audience? Explain with examples from the document.