Analyze the document itself as historical evidence
Technical Requirements:
1. Document chosen should be no longer than 1-3pages; it can be as short as 1/3 page. The document must have been produced in early North America or the United States, between 1600 and 1877.
2. All papers must be typed or printed, double-spaced, with reasonable margins. Pages should be numbered. Your name and a full bibliographic citation should appear on a cover sheet.
3. I expect the length to be 6-9 pages. We do not want to read more than 12 pages.
4. Proofread carefully; spell check and grammar check is not enough. Simple grammar and spelling errors should be eliminated. If you cannot do it yourself, get an editor.
5. Attach a copy of your document to the analysis itself.
Analysis:
The goal of such an analysis is a full understanding of the meaning and language of the document and its usefulness as a historical source. Again, the purpose is NOT telling a story based on the document. This is not a research essay.
THE PURPOSE IS TO ANALYZE THE DOCUMENT ITSELF AS HISTORICAL EVIDENCE.
Begin with the basics:
What is it? (a letter, a treaty, a sermon, etc.)
Who wrote it?
When and Where was it produced?
Why and for whom was it written?
These questions outline the context of the document. This material serves as your reader’s introduction. Here incorporate relevant biographical or historical information, i.e., events and circumstances surrounding the production of the document. Use material from lectures or course readings. If you need additional help, check out the subject in a textbook, such as The Enduring Vision or A People and a Nation, or check out the person in the Dictionary of American Biography. At this point, too, you should explain your goal in examining the document. Why should a historian read it?
Next, discuss the content itself: What was said? Be sure to include a comprehensive summary of main points together with auxiliary points and supportive evidence. If it’s a private letter or diary, describe everything discussed, whether it seems of greatest importance or ridiculously trivial. Sometimes the trivia grounds the writing of determinative history. Also consider the manner of expression. How did the author structure the writing? What language, rhetorical devices, images were used? What is the tone of the document? Why did the author write in this way?
Finally, evaluate the usefulness of this document. What did you learn? What have you been led to conclude? Are those conclusions reliable? At this point, consider questions concerning the author’s bias, effect of intended audience upon content and manner of presentation, social context, author’s background, etc.
