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writing in the disciplines

history main > assignments > reading primary and secondary sources > primary sources

writing in history

reading a primary source

When reading a primary source, historians pay attention to both content and context. It is impossible to understand what a primary source means without understanding the historical context in which it was produced, including the language, culture, and time period.

what is the content of the source?

What does the source say about essential information like main characters, events, ideas, and arguments? For help on reading for content, see the Center for Writing's quicktip on critical reading.

what is the context of the source?

now what?

Establishing the content and context of a source helps writers determine the usefulness of the source as evidence in a historical argument.

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