How do I analyse a primary/ secondary source?

When analysing a source there are some easy rules to stick to in order to ensure a deep analysis. Firstly, never take what you're reading or, if it's a picture, looking at at face value. Every source has an agenda and it's your job to find that agenda. Think about when it was written, by whom and what it is about. Make sure you understand what the purpose of the source was as this can be very telling on what the author's/ illustrator's viewpoint is. Just because something is an eyewitness account doesn't necessarily mean that it is reliable, think about what the source is missing in its account and why it misses it. Through doing this you'll ensure that you're giving an in depth analysis.

KR
Answered by Kimran R. History tutor

4324 Views

See similar History GCSE tutors

Related History GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How can I improve my answer to "Explain what was important about the rebellion of the Earl of Essex for Elizabethan England?" (GCSE History question from the AQA specimen paper)


What are the steps in answering a source based question?


What were the main aims of the “Big 3” leaders involved in the Treaty of Versailles of 1919 and how happy were they with the end result?


How do I carry out a successful and effective primary source analysis?


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