How to Interpret Historical Documents and Objects

How to Interpret a Document

1. Using the document provided, complete the following information:

• Form/type of document:_________________________________________________________

• Audience:___________________________________________________________________

• Topic:______________________________________________________________________

• Purpose:____________________________________________________________________

2. When was the document written? Cite evidence from the source to support your answer:

________________________________________________________________________________

3. When was the document created? Cite evidence from your source to support your answer:

________________________________________________________________________________

4. What is the most important historical information this source provides? Be sure to cite specific evidence from the source.

________________________________________________________________________________

How to Interpret a Newspaper Article

1. Read the newspaper article. What words and phrases catch your attention?

2. What was the author's purpose in writing the article?

3. Re-read the article. Complete the following to show the main point and the evidence that supports this point:

• Main Point:______________________________________________________________________

• Supporting Evidence:_______________________________________________________________

• Supporting Evidence:_______________________________________________________________

• Supporting Evidence:_______________________________________________________________

How to Interpret a Map

1. What does the map tell you about the place and time it was created?

________________________________________________________________________________

2. What is the purpose of this map?

________________________________________________________________________________

3. Compare your map to a current map of the same area. Record information and characteristics the two have in common and information unique to each.

4. What is the most important historical information this source provides? Be sure to cite specific evidence from the source.

________________________________________________________________________________

How to Interpret a Photograph

1. Look at the picture/photograph. What clues can you find about the location and date of the image?

________________________________________________________________________________

2. Describe the following to examine the picture/photograph more closely:

• Objects:_________________________________________________________

• Activities:________________________________________________________

• People:__________________________________________________________

3. What are the main messages of the picture/photograph?

________________________________________________________________________________

4. What are the secondary messages of the picture/photograph?

________________________________________________________________________________

 How to Interpret an Object

1. What was the object made of?

________________________________________________________________________________

2. Describe or sketch any distinguishing marks, writing, or other clues that might help determine how the object was used.

3. How might the object have been used?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. How was the object made? Why was it made this way?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. What does the object say about the life, times, and technology of the people who used it?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.  Is there anything that has replaces this object today? How and why is it different?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

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