Analyzing Documents
Document Types
For purposes of this course, any primary source that consists mostly of written words is considered a document. Both handwritten and typed documents are included.
- Speeches
- Letters
- Government documents
- Journals & Diaries
- Bills & Legislation
- Telegrams
- Telegraphs
- Certificates
- Legal documents
- Receipts
Document Characteristics
Besides the text itself, other characteristics of a document provide clues. Watch for these characteristics when you examine documents.
- Different colored inks
- Stampings
- Pencil notations & markings
- Symbols or watermarks
- Paper type and condition
- Handwritten or typed?
- Consistent handwriting (i.e., is it the same handwriting throughout)
- Document headers and footers
Context
When evaluating documents, you must have some background information to help understand the document. What is the author’s background? What is going on in current events that might help you better understand why this document was written? What other documents were written by the same author? Is this a draft or final version?
However, you may have students review primary source documents before being provided with this context. This allows students to make inquiry-based guesses first and then connect it to the background information. Depending on the level of your students, they may be able to research the background information on their own given the clues in the primary source.
Sources for Documents
Besides the online resources like American Memory which archive multiple types of primary sources, some online resources like the ones below focus on just documents.