HIS FPX 1150 Assessment 1 Evaluating Historical Sources
Student Name
Capella University
HIS FPX 1150 U.S. History: How the Past Informs the Present
Prof. Name
Date
Evaluating Historical Sources Worksheet
Evaluating historical sources involves examining where a source came from, why it was created, what information it provides, and whether it can be considered credible. To complete this worksheet, evaluate four historical sources: two primary sources and two secondary sources. The sources should focus on one of the following topics:
- Facing economic change
- Engaging in civil rights
For each source, begin with a properly formatted citation. Then answer the eight questions below. Questions 3–8 should be answered in complete sentences with enough detail to explain your analysis.
How to Evaluate a Historical Source
When evaluating a historical source, consider both its content and its context. A primary source provides firsthand evidence from the period being studied, while a secondary source interprets or analyzes historical events using evidence from other sources.
Pay particular attention to the author’s purpose, the date the source was created, the author’s relationship to the events, possible bias, important facts, and the overall credibility of the source.
Source 1
Citation for Source 1:
[Insert the full APA-formatted citation for your first source.]
1. What type of source is this (primary or secondary)?
Identify whether the source is a primary or secondary source. Briefly explain how you determined its classification.
2. When was it written?
Provide the year, and if available, the specific date when the source was created or published. Consider how the date relates to the historical events being discussed.
3. Why was it written?
Explain the author’s purpose for creating the source. Consider whether the source was intended to inform, persuade, document an event, express an opinion, or analyze a historical issue.
4. What is the main idea or takeaway?
Summarize the central argument, message, or historical information presented in the source. Focus on the most important point rather than listing every detail.
5. Was the writer present at the time of the events he or she was writing about?
Explain whether the author directly experienced or witnessed the events. For a secondary source, explain whether the author was analyzing events that occurred before the source was written.
6. Does the writer seem neutral? Why or why not?
Discuss the author’s perspective and identify any evidence of bias, personal opinion, political position, social background, or other factors that may influence the presentation of information.
7. What are some of the key facts presented?
Identify the most important facts, events, people, dates, statistics, or other evidence presented in the source.
8. Explain why this source is credible.
Discuss why the source can or cannot be considered reliable. Consider the author’s qualifications, the original context, supporting evidence, publication source, and whether the information can be verified through other historical sources.
Source 2
Citation for Source 2:
[Insert the full APA-formatted citation for your second source.]
1. What type of source is this (primary or secondary)?
Identify whether the source is a primary or secondary source and explain your classification.
2. When was it written?
State when the source was created or published and explain its relationship to the historical period being studied.
3. Why was it written?
Describe the author’s purpose and intended audience. Explain what the author was attempting to accomplish through the source.
4. What is the main idea or takeaway?
Explain the central message or argument of the source and how it relates to the selected historical topic.
5. Was the writer present at the time of the events he or she was writing about?
Explain whether the author directly witnessed or experienced the events or was writing about them from a later perspective.
6. Does the writer seem neutral? Why or why not?
Analyze the author’s perspective and identify any language, arguments, or circumstances that could indicate bias or a particular point of view.
7. What are some of the key facts presented?
Summarize the major factual information and evidence provided by the source.
8. Explain why this source is credible.
Evaluate the reliability of the source by considering its author, publication, evidence, historical context, and supporting documentation.
Source 3
Citation for Source 3:
[Insert the full APA-formatted citation for your third source.]
1. What type of source is this (primary or secondary)?
Identify the type of source and explain why it qualifies as a primary or secondary source.
2. When was it written?
Provide the date or year the source was written or published and explain its historical context.
3. Why was it written?
Explain the author’s purpose, intended audience, and reason for creating the source.
4. What is the main idea or takeaway?
Describe the primary argument, message, or historical information communicated by the source.
5. Was the writer present at the time of the events he or she was writing about?
Explain whether the writer personally witnessed or participated in the events or interpreted them from a later period.
6. Does the writer seem neutral? Why or why not?
Discuss the author’s perspective and identify factors that may have influenced how the historical events were presented.
7. What are some of the key facts presented?
Identify the important factual claims and evidence found in the source.
8. Explain why this source is credible.
Evaluate the source’s credibility by examining the author’s expertise, evidence, publication context, historical accuracy, and availability of corroborating information.
Source 4
Citation for Source 4:
[Insert the full APA-formatted citation for your fourth source.]
1. What type of source is this (primary or secondary)?
Identify whether the source is primary or secondary and provide a brief explanation.
2. When was it written?
State when the source was created or published and explain how its date relates to the historical events under examination.
3. Why was it written?
Explain the author’s purpose for producing the source and identify its intended audience when possible.
4. What is the main idea or takeaway?
Summarize the main argument, historical interpretation, or information presented in the source.
5. Was the writer present at the time of the events he or she was writing about?
Explain whether the author witnessed or participated in the events or examined them from a later historical perspective.
6. Does the writer seem neutral? Why or why not?
Evaluate the author’s point of view and discuss any potential bias or factors that may have influenced the source.
7. What are some of the key facts presented?
Describe the most significant facts, evidence, dates, people, events, or other information included in the source.
8. Explain why this source is credible.
Explain why the source should or should not be considered credible. Consider the author’s qualifications, evidence, publication information, historical context, and corroboration from other reliable sources.
Why Historical Source Evaluation Matters
Evaluating historical sources helps researchers distinguish between firsthand evidence, later interpretations, factual information, and personal perspectives. A source should not be considered credible simply because it was published or appears authoritative. Its date, purpose, authorship, evidence, and historical context should also be examined.
Primary sources can provide direct evidence from the period being studied, while secondary sources can help explain and interpret historical events. Using both types of sources allows researchers to develop a more complete understanding of topics such as economic change and civil rights.