How should I answer a question that asks me to analyse a source?

Primary source analysis requires you to use examples of how people in the past wrote about or depicted different phenomena. FIrst, it is important to link the particular source to a wider historical period or topic. Thus, you are enabled to move between micro- and macro-level discussion. What I mean by this is that by extrapolating from your source, you can engage in describing a larger topic, be that a concept, a period, a person, or an event in history. Good historical writing, in my opinion, is often characterised by fluid transition between small-scale analysis, and showing how that analysis fits a large-scale narrative. Secondly, it is crucial that you give evidence of thinking critically about the primary source you are given. Identifying biases in a text, for example, is a great way to show awareness of how the intersectional phenomena of class, gender, race, religion etc. had an impact on the author. Thus, you can prove your skills in critical thinking as well as familiarity with these concepts.

MS
Answered by Marcell S. History tutor

2065 Views

See similar History GCSE tutors

Related History GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain why there were challenges to the Weimar Republic in the years 1919-1923 (12 marks) You may use the following in your answer: The Treaty of Versailles, The Kapp Putsch. You must also use information of your own.


Explain the effects of the Second World War on the lives of the German people. (AQA June 2016)


Outline the main reasons why the Kerensky government fell in 1917 in Russia


What is the best way to write a strong argument?


We're here to help

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

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences