Step 1: Introduction to Source Analysis
What are sources and why are they important?
In their simplest form, sources are things that tell you something. A source can be anything, a letter, a map, a shield, a sword, a textbook, a website, a news article. Anything that gives you information about the topic that you are studying is a source.
Why are they important? To put it very simply, without sources we would have no way of knowing information about the past. We have to understand, use and analyse sources to understand and interpret the past.
In earlier years you would have divided sources into primary and secondary sources, but for Years 11/12 this distinction is irrelevant. Instead the focus for sources shifts to analysing their usefulness and reliability for an historical inquiry. How is this source useful for an historian studying his/her topic area? Is the source reliable for this study? These are the two basic and most important questions in historical source analysis.
In their simplest form, sources are things that tell you something. A source can be anything, a letter, a map, a shield, a sword, a textbook, a website, a news article. Anything that gives you information about the topic that you are studying is a source.
Why are they important? To put it very simply, without sources we would have no way of knowing information about the past. We have to understand, use and analyse sources to understand and interpret the past.
In earlier years you would have divided sources into primary and secondary sources, but for Years 11/12 this distinction is irrelevant. Instead the focus for sources shifts to analysing their usefulness and reliability for an historical inquiry. How is this source useful for an historian studying his/her topic area? Is the source reliable for this study? These are the two basic and most important questions in historical source analysis.
Question 1
If investigating Spartan Society to the Battle of Leuctra, is Source 1 a primary or secondary source? How do you know?
Answer the question on your Google Doc, mark it as "Question 1".
What type of source is this? Is it a piece of pottery, a letter, or an extract from a book?
Take note of who the author of the source is. Research his name and relation to Spartan Society if needed.
Answer the question on your Google Doc, mark it as "Question 1".
What type of source is this? Is it a piece of pottery, a letter, or an extract from a book?
Take note of who the author of the source is. Research his name and relation to Spartan Society if needed.
Question 2
Question 2: Is Source 2 a primary or secondary source for an historian studying Spartan Society till the Battle of Leuctra? How do you know?
Answer the question on your Google Doc, mark it as "Question 2".
What type of source is this? Is it from an ancient source, or is it something that modern historians have compiled?
Answer the question on your Google Doc, mark it as "Question 2".
What type of source is this? Is it from an ancient source, or is it something that modern historians have compiled?