Analysing Written Sources in History

OCMA PRU
Acronym Origin Content
Initial questions you should ask of the source
Who made the source? When was it made? Where was it made? Is it primary or secondary? Type of source letter, photo, cartoon etc. Intentional content what information does the source give you? Why was the source made what is its purpose? What language and images are used?

Motive

Audience

For who was the source made?

Perspective

Using information on who made the source and why

Reliability

Is the source complete or incomplete? Do other sources support it or not? For what is the source reliable? For what is the source unreliable?

Usefulness

What does the source tell you? How can you use what the source tells you to explain some aspect of the past?