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Primary Source Analysis Exercises

Instructions and links to exercises that teach how to analyze primary sources

Instructions

Here are some additional activities to help you become more comfortable working with primary sources.

The first two activities encourage you to learn more about the context of primary sources. Choose either a document or a photograph and try to locate relevant articles and books.

In the third activity, you will study two primary sources to see how they expand your understanding of a topic and each other.

Click on the image for the item of interest and it will take you to the activity.

Connecting Primary Sources

World War II Poster Celebrating Navy Cross Recipient Dorie Miller

Finding Context for Primary Sources (Document)

Image of the Provisional Platform for the the UC Berkeley Free Speech Movement in 1964

 

Finding Context for Primary Sources (Photograph)

UC Berkeley students holding signs calling for a strike on the steps of Sproul Hall in 1964

Understanding Footnotes

Graphic with title - Understanding Footnotes