Primary Source Analysis Worksheets
Primary Source Analysis Worksheet - Documents
Use one of these documents for this exercise, or another of your choosing.
Look at the document and answer the following questions:
1. What type of document is it? (for example, letter, report, newspaper article, memorandum, press release)
2. Does the document have any interesting physical features? (for example, handwritten notes, stamps, interesting letterhead)
3. What is the date on the document, if it has one?
4. Who wrote the document? Can you learn anything about this person from the document - for example, his or her job title or interests?
5. Who was the audience for this document?
6. Why do you think it was written?
7. What evidence in the document helps you know why it was written? (Quote from the document.)
8. List three things about the document's contents that you think are important.
9. List three things the document tells you about Seattle at the time it was written.
10. Write a question to the author that is left unanswered by the document.
Adapted from the National Archives
Primary Source Analysis Worksheet - Photographs
Use one of these photographs for this exercise, or another of your choosing.
Study the photograph for two minutes. First, look at the overall image; second, divide the photo into four sections and study each section to see if you notice new details.
1. What do you see in the photograph?
| People | Objects | Activities |
2. Based on what you see, list three things you might infer from this photo.
3. What is the date of the photo?
4. If you didn't know the date, what clues in the photo could help you guess when it was taken?
5. Why do you think the photographer took this photo?
6. What questions does the photo raise in your mind?
Primary Source Analysis Worksheet - Maps
Use one of these maps for this exercise, or another of your choosing.
- Numbers and Distribution of Shacks by Census Tracts
- Smith Cove Sanitary Fill Area
- Cedar River Watershed
Look at the map and answer the following questions:
1. What kind of map is this?
| __ Street map | __ Political map |
| __ Topographical map | __ Natural resource map |
| __ Property map | __ Other |
| __ Thematic map (theme: ____________) |
2. What physical features does the map have?
| __ Compass | __ Scale |
| __ Handwritten notes | __ Title |
| __ Name of mapmaker | __ Legend/key |
| __ Color | __ Other: ____________ |
3. What is the date on the map, if it has one?
4. What person and/or agency created the map? Can you tell where it was produced?
5. Why do you think the map was created?
6. What users do you think the mapmaker had in mind when he or she created this map?
7. Are there any associated documents to this map that would help provide context for its creation?
8. What does this map tell you about land use? Past use? Potential future use?
9. List three things in the map that you think are important.
Adapted from the National Archives