Evaluating Historical Sources Worksheet
Use the four sources (two primary, two secondary) you located for this assessment to complete this worksheet. Your four sources should focus on one of two topics: facing economic change or engaging civil rights. For each source, first provide a formatted citation, as shown in the sample citation below. Double click into the citation box to type your citation. Then answer each question about that source. Respond to questions 3–8 in complete sentences.
Sample formatted citation:
DuBois, W. E. B. (1903). W. E. B. DuBois critiques Booker T. Washington. [Essay]. http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/40
Citation for Source 1:
What type of source is this (primary or secondary)?
When was it written?
Why was it written?
What is the main idea or takeaway?
Was the writer present at the time of the events he or she was writing about?
Does the writer seem neutral? Why/why not?
What are some of the key facts presented?
Explain why this source is credible.
Citation for Source 2:
1. What type of source is this (primary or secondary)?
When was it written?
Why was it written?
What is the main idea or takeaway?
Was the writer present at the time of the events he or she was writing about?
Does the writer seem neutral? Why/why not?
What are some of the key facts presented?
Explain why this source is credible.
Citation for Source 3:
1. What type of source is this (primary or secondary)?
When was it written?
Why was it written?
What is the main idea or takeaway?
Was the writer present at the time of the events he or she was writing about?
Does the writer seem neutral? Why/why not?
What are some of the key facts presented?
Explain why this source is credible.
Citation for Source #4:
1. What type of source is this (primary or secondary)?
When was it written?
Why was it written?
What is the main idea or takeaway?
Was the writer present at the time of the events he or she was writing about?
Does the writer seem neutral? Why/why not?
What are some of the key facts presented?
Explain why this source is credible.
1
2
————-
Worksheet on Evaluating Historical Sources
To complete this worksheet, use the four sources you found for this Assessment (two primary, two secondary). One of two issues should be the emphasis of your four sources: dealing with economic transformation or engaging civil rights. Provide a proper citation for each source, as demonstrated in the sample citation below. To type your citation, double-click into the citation box. Then, for each inquiry concerning that source, provide an answer. Complete the sentences for problems 3–8.
An example of a properly formatted citation is as follows:
W. E. B. DuBois, W. E. B. DuBois, W. E. B. Du (1903). Booker T. Washington is criticized by W. E. B. DuBois. [Essay]. http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/40
Source 1’s citation is as follows:
Is this a primary source or a secondary source?
What year did it come out?
What was the purpose of writing it?
What is the major point or point of departure?
Was this the case?
