How do you analyse a primary source?

The easiest way to analyse a primary source (a source from the time period you are studying) is to remember the 4 Ws:

WHAT: What type of source is this? A letter, a picture, a diary entry?
WHEN: When was it written? Recently, 100 years ago, during a war or significant event?
WHO: Who wrote it? A king, a peasant, a rebel? 
WHY: Why do you think they produced this source? To inform, to persuade, to mislead? 

JS
Answered by Jennie S. History tutor

2202 Views

See similar History GCSE tutors

Related History GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How did Hitler break the Treaty of Versailles?


How can I effectively include historiography in my history essay?


What was the Berlin blockade?


What was the main causes of the First World War?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning