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The Prompt Historians turn to primary sources to tell us about life in a certain place and time

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The Prompt

Historians turn to primary sources to tell us about life in a certain place and time. For this paper analysis, you will identify a primary source from Chapter 4 (Colonial Society) of the assigned primary source reader (YAWP Reader).

 

Using your chosen source and notes from the primary source analysis worksheet, write an essay (2 [full]-3 pages) on the author’s relationship to colonial America with the following sections:

 

1. An introduction that: A) describes colonial America in the context of Chapters 3 and 4 (Yawp textbook), noting three central or important components of colonial America and B) introduces the primary source and its author.

2. A section in which, based on your evaluation of the primary source, you indicate the observer’s understanding of colonial America, supporting your assertions with specific paraphrases/quotes of the text.

Questions to Consider for This Section: how does your author view colonial America and its place in American society? Is it a good thing? A bad thing? A complex thing?

3. A section addressing the author’s view of colonial America within the larger historical context. Provide three clear and distinct comparisons (commonalities or disconnects) between the author’s particular observation of colonial America and the “reality” of the Era that we have examined in class. Provide support from the primary source and course content to clarify why you arrived at each conclusion.

           

Questions to Consider for This Section: what material from the colonial America lectures/textbook content does your author reassert/support? What content/problems/people from the Era are off your author’s radar?

 

4. A section discussing what larger course theme[s] are prevalent in your primary source. These themes include but are not limited to: Power [who has it?]; Land and Property; Freedom and Liberty; the Power of Place/Region; Individual v. Community v. Nation; Race; Gender; Class; American “Character;” Rhetoric v. Reality. Strong papers will focus on one or two course themes rather than many. Support your assertion with specific paraphrases/quotes from the text.

 

5. A conclusion restating the author and source, the three components of colonial America from section 1 and introducing questions the primary source raised for you [Identifying questions for further investigation].

 

 

 

 

Additional Information

You should not consult outside sources for this assignment. If you need additional context, turn to the textbook or lecture notes. You MUST cite all sources you use, including lecture. The best papers will incorporate and closely analyze quotations.

 

Follow standard formatting guidelines provided on Canvas. Ensure that you have properly cited throughout your paper and included a work cited page (which does not count towards the 2-[full] page minimum). You will be expected to cite and format correctly and will lose points if you do not.  See our Canvas course link for citation support.

 

Your paper must be typed, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman (1 margins) and uploaded to TurnItIn (via our Canvas website).

 

Your paper will be graded on: 1) the standard requirements (page length, citations, font, etc.), 2) clarity of the content (your ability to follow the above-mentioned sections in a clear and concise manner), and 3) the effectiveness of the analysis/contextualization itself.

 

 

Primary Source Analysis Paper Rubric

Base Points	Hooray! You Turned in a Paper!	5/5
Standard Requirements	Meeting the Standard Requirements Met Above	10
Clarity of Content	1. Section 1 2. Section 2 3. Section 3 4. Section 4 5. Section 5	5 5 5 5 5
Effectiveness of Analysis		10
	TOTAL	50