Instructions:
Primary Source Document Analysis

The historical analysis of primary sources is an important learning objective for this course. Write a 4 page analysis of any written primary document (a speech, a newspaper editorial, an organizational manifesto, a sermon, diary entries, published lyrics to a popular song, etc.) published/written before 1935 for Document Analysis #1. Your primary document must be approved by the course instructor.

Guided Questions to Answer
1) Summarize the main ideas raised in this document include the author of the document and date of publication.

2) Drawing on classroom lectures, discussions and readings, discuss the historical context in which the
document was written, published, sung, etc.

3) What does this primary document tell us about how American people lived and thought at that particular historical moment?

4) What is the historical significance of the document for American life in 2015? Included the complete bibliographic information for your primary document in your bibliography as well as bibliographic information for other sources?

5) What is your analysis/interpretation of the document? Use evidence from the primary document and course textbook to support your answer.

Sources:
1 Primary source
Hewitt Textbook Exploring American Histories
Scholarly Article
Scholarly Book
Evidence for Your Analysis:

1–Support your thesis/central argument with quotations from the selected primary documents.

Other Considerations
Make sure you tie the documents in with class lectures and discussions. The emphasis of these short papers is on the critical analysis and not just a brief summary of main ideas. Don’t just repeat what the sources said; interpret and analyze them.

Each essay must be:
*Double spaced *Include a heading with your name, date, and class #
*1 inch margins *Length–4 pages each. (You will be penalized if you write less than 4 pages.)

In writing your essay:
1—Please underline your thesis/central argument
2—Support your thesis/central argument with quotations from the selected primary documents.

Citation Information
1—Include footnotes in your paper every time you quote from each source
2—Include complete bibliographic information for your primary document all sources for your paper.
3—Include (write or type) the complete bibliographic information on your Primary document and submit a copy of your primary document with your Primary Source Document Analysis paper.

OTHER GUIDELINES FOR PAPERS:
All papers must be typed in 12 point font (Times New Roman). Students will receive an assignment sheet in advance for each major assignment. All assignment sheets will be posted on D2L and distributed in class. Papers for this course should be typed, double-spaced essays, meet the required page length, with 12-point font, and ONE INCH margins on ALL SIDES. If you want, papers may include a title page with the course information and student name (please do not repeat this information on the remaining pages of the paper). The title page DOES NOT count as page one of the essays. Be sure to underline your thesis statement so that the professor knows what you intend to argue in your paper. LATE PAPERS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. Emailed versions of papers are unacceptable.

Essay Structure:
Title Page
Include the following: title of paper, name, class, section #, professor, university & date

Introduction
Your introduction should be extremely clear
The purpose of an introduction is to describe the direction of your argument
It states what you are trying to prove or accomplish in the paper

The most important part of an introduction is the THESIS STATEMENT

The thesis statement consists of a string of sentences or one sentence that clearly states your argument or position

The purpose of a thesis statement is to describe the direction of your paper/argument. PLEASE UNDERLINE YOUR THESIS STATEMENT.

Body

Each body paragraph should begin with a topic sentence

Topic sentences explain/summarize the main points of that section or paragraph

Be sure to use transitions to connect or link each body paragraph

Transitions link paragraphs together and unite the overall position of your argument

Body paragraphs should clearly support your thesis statement with evidence and examples

Use examples from a variety of primary and secondary sources be sure to use footnote or endnotes for your citations and paraphrased material

The body paragraphs should show that your argument is moving in a certain direction (the direction outlined in your introduction)

Conclusions

The purpose of your conclusions are to reiterate the main point(s) of the essay

Summarize your themes and sub-points without too much repetition

Concisely explain the points outlined in the body of your paper

Tighten your argument and prove that your thesis was indeed correct based on the evidence described in the paper

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