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These are the things you need to consider when looking at a historical source. O rigin P urpose V alue L imitation. Origin Who wrote it? When was it written? Where was it written? What was going on there at that time? (Does this have an obvious impact on the work?). Purpose
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These are the things you need to consider when looking at a historical source. Origin Purpose Value Limitation
Origin • Who wrote it? • When was it written? • Where was it written? • What was going on there at that time? (Does this have an obvious impact on the work?)
Purpose • Why was it written? • What was the author trying to accomplish by writing this? • Is it politically motivated? • Is it emotionally charged? • These last two points are tricky… you need to make sure you understand them before you claim that a source is either!
Value • What historical knowledge can be gained from this document? • Can any specific insight be gained about the author/creator? • Can any specific insight be gained about the situation being presented?
Limitations • Is the author/creator of the document biased in any way? • Does the purpose of the document possibly skew the actual meaning? • Does the author possibly have limited knowledge of the situation on which he/she is writing? (Why do you think so?)
A Couple of Final Notes • PLEASE DO NOT address each and every question when writing your OPVL, just consider them and address them if necessary… not necessarily in the terms used. • Limitations are more difficult now than they will be later – don’t make up something just to have a limitation. If it’s not there, then it’s not there. • If you say there is a limitation, you BETTER be able to BACK IT UP!