Primary Source Analysis

Fourth Grade Social Studies

Frances Bishop

The American Revolution:Political Cartoons

Primary Source Analysis• What is a Primary Source?

− A primary source is a document, speech, or other sort of evidence that is written, created or otherwise produced during the time under study. Primary sources offer an inside view of a particular event.

Examples of Primary SourceInclude original documents such as autobiographies, e-mail,

photographs, interviews, letters, news film footage, diaries, speeches, official records.

Examples of Primary SourceAlso included are creative works such as art, movies, music, novels.

Examples of Primary SourceIn addition, there are relics or artifacts such as

buildings, clothing, furniture, jewelry, pottery.

The Purpose of Primary Source Analysis

The purpose of the Primary Source Analysis

Tool is to assist you with

analyzing a political cartoon.

Retrieved from: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/british/images/vc51.jpg

It is very important to remember

that primary source analysis is

not about finding the right answer

but asking effective questions.

Important Fact to Remember

References

• British Take New York Retrieved from http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/british/images/vc51.jpg

• Google images Retrieved from

• http://www.google.com/images

• Political Cartoons: Finding Point of View-Lesson Plan. Retrieved from http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/lessons/political-cartoons/evaluation.html

• Blum, J.(2010). What is a Primary Source? Retrieved from http://knowledgecenter.unr.edu/help/using/primary.aspx