Primary sources/documents are letters, newspapers, laws, or other forms of communication that were composed during the

Primary sources/documents are letters, newspapers, laws, or other forms of communication that were composed during the time period in which they occurred.  For example, when studying the American Revolution, an example of a primary document would be the Declaration of Independence. For this assignment students have multiple choices of primary documents to choose from selected by the instructor. After choosing and reading a selected primary document, students will write a 1-1.5 pages essay discussing said document. Students are only to write a summary on one (1) document (located below) per assignment. 

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=3&psid=630

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=3&psid=57

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=3&psid=4115

The following questions should be addressed when composing your essays:

     1.  Who wrote the document and when was it written?
     2.  Who was the intended audience?

Not every document is meant for the general public, so please be mindful when addressing the intended audience
     3.  What was the purpose of the document?
     4.  What was one of the most important part or most important line from the document?

Don’t simply describe the quote/line, but provide it to show engagement with the selected source

For additional assistance see the sample/example primary source essays found in this module – Students should try to mimic both the formatting and substance of the provided samples/examples