Analysis Guidelines: Close Reading: First, do a close reading of the document an

Analysis Guidelines:
Close Reading: First, do a close reading of the document and take copious notes. Examine the original author’s intent and biases, avoiding a focus on the editor’s perspective. Consider factors like the author’s first-hand knowledge, information gathering methods, target audience, and portrayed perspectives. Also consider the hidden potential of the source. What assumptions does the author make about attitudes and society? What aspects of daily life, government, or religion does the author mention in passing?
Language Analysis: Scrutinize the author’s use of language, rhetorical strategies, and how it reflects the historical context. How does the author express their views or experiences?
Comparison with Secondary Sources: Compare a relevant paragraph from your textbook or a secondary source with your primary source analysis. How does this secondary source interpret or present the issue? Compare this interpretation with your own understanding from the primary source.
Paper Structure and Detailed Instructions:
Introduction (Approx. 200 words):Set the historical context of the source. What was happening at the time that the source was written?
Identify the source(s) of your information, and give priority to information that is likely to have a direct bearing on how you interpret the source.
Make a historically defensible CLAIM about the source and delineate your rationale for that claim (aka a thesis statement) that responds to the question in section 4.
Context Paragraph (Approx. 200 words):Address the author’s background, the document’s creation time, and the purpose of the document.
Compare with a related paragraph from your textbook or secondary source.
Summary (Approx. 200 words):Restate the main points in your own words. NO quotations in this section.
Discuss the intended audience and, if anonymous, infer about the author from the source.
Source Analysis (500+ words): What is the usefulness of the source? What can be learned from the source about freedom, liberty, or rights?
Consider the original author’s purpose and biases. Give specific examples of statements that are particularly biased or particularly even-handed.
Give examples of things which can (or cannot) be learned from the source. How are the author’s circumstances reflected in the source?
Evaluate the author’s firsthand knowledge and information collection methods. Is the work theoretical? Or does the author include a wealth of details that tell about what was happening around him or her?
Identify the audience and which side is portrayed favorably.
Explore hidden potentials: Does the author reveal anything about general societal attitudes (ex: towards religion, government, or family life)? Does the author offer insights into specific historical events or people?
Analyze the document’s language and rhetorical strategies.
Discuss the source’s usefulness, biases, balance, and broader historical insights. Does the author give information about things that are not the main topic of the source? Try to go beyond a consideration of the basic facts presented in the source to analysis of larger insights into history which might be gained from the source.
Conclusion (Up to 250 words):Offer an overall assessment of the source, its strengths, weaknesses, and research value.
Note that none of these are simple yes/no questions and that not all are going to be relevant to every source. Address only those that are relevant and re-organize to create a coherent paper from beginning to end.
Following this structure will result in a 1200-1500 word analysis essay.
Formatting Requirements:
Text Format: Double-spaced with one-inch margins.
Structure: Introduction with thesis, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Perspective: Write in formal third-person.
Cover Page: Include your name, instructor’s name, class title, paper title, and the primary source’s full citation.
Citations: Use Chicago Style footnotes for quotes and paraphrased content. See the tutorials in the resources section below if you are not sure how to use footnotes. All direct quotes must be inside quotation marks and must have a corresponding footnote. Paraphrased text should not be inside quotation marks but should have a footnote.
I have attached the PDF of the primary source AND the secondary source you can use with it.