LEARN NC

North Carolina History Digital Textbook Project

Reading primary sources: Letters

By Kathryn Walbert

Contents

  1. Thinking about thinking: Reading primary sources
  2. Reading primary sources: An introduction for students
  1. 1 Identify the source
    1. 1.1What is the nature of this source?
    2. 1.2Who created this source, and what do I know about her, him, or them?
    3. 1.3When was the source produced?
    4. 1.4Where was the source produced?
  2. 2 Contextualize the source
    1. 2.1What do I know about the historical context of this source?
    2. 2.2What do I know about how the creator of this source fits into that historical context?
    3. 2.3Why did the person who created the source do so?
  3. 3 Explore the source
    1. 3.1What factual information is conveyed in this source?
    2. 3.2What opinions are related in this source?
    3. 3.3What is implied or conveyed unintentionally in the source?
    4. 3.4What is not said in the source?
    5. 3.5What is surprising or interesting about the source?
    6. 3.6What do I not understand about the source?
  4. 4 Analyze the source
    1. 4.1How does the creator of the source convey information and make his or her point?
    2. 4.2How is the world descibed in the source different from my world?
    3. 4.3How might others at the time have reacted to this source?
  5. 5 Evaluate the source
    1. 5.1How does this source compare to other primary sources?
    2. 5.2How does this source compare to secondary source accounts?
    3. 5.3What do I believe and disbelieve from this source?
    4. 5.4What do I still not know — and where can I find that information?
  1. Appendix A. Transcription of Letters
  2. Appendix B. John Adams to Abigail Adams Letter 1, July 3, 1776
  3. Appendix C. John Adams to Abigail Adams Letter 2, July 3, 1776