Observe, Contextualize, Infer
Primary sources give us first-hand information about people, events, and everyday life in the past. They are eyewitnesses to history, but that doesn't mean that their message is always clear. Use these three steps to examine, investigate and interpret those messages according to the evidence:
- Observe: Write down your observations about the primary source in simple, concrete terms. Use the 5 W's to help you describe it.
- Contextualize: Put your observations in context. Start with a Google search to learn more about the topic, person, or time period. If relevant, examine the historical, cultural, social, economic, or political context in which the primary source was created.
- Infer: Use what you've learned from your observations and investigations to make an assertion about the person, the event, or the society in which the primary source was created. There is no objectively wrong inference, as long as it is grounded in evidence, but be open to critique, disagreement and debate from others who may draw different conclusions.
