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Analyze a Written Document

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Meet the document.

  • Type (check all that apply):
    Letter Speech Patent Telegram Court document
    Chart Newspaper Advertisement Press Release Memorandum
    Report Email Identification document Presidential document
    Congressional document Other
  • Describe it as if you were explaining to someone who can’t see it.
    • Think about: Is it handwritten or typed? Is it all by the same person? Are there stamps or other marks? What else do you see on it?

Observe its parts.

  • Who wrote it?
  • Who read/received it?
  • When is it from?
  • Where is it from?

Try to make sense of it.

  • What is it talking about?
  • Write one sentence summarizing this document.
  • Why did the author write it? Quote evidence from the document that tells you this.
  • What was happening at the time in history this document was created?

Use it as historical evidence.

  • What did you find out from this document that you might not learn anywhere else?
  • What other documents or historical evidence are you going to use to help you understand this event or topic?

Materials created by the ÍþÄá˹ÈËÓéÀÖ³¡ and Records Administration are in the public domain.

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