1. Understanding, Explaining, and Evaluating sources

2. Understanding sources
If you can accurately summarize a source, then you understand the source
Summaries can be wrong!
P and O of POVL also show understanding
Not a place for your analysis or interpretation

3. Explaining importance
Comes after you understand the source
You must have knowledge of historical context to grasp importance

4. Explaining cont.
Every primary source is important, BUT some are more important than others
There are MANY UNimportant secondary sources:
Common knowledge sources = generic
MOST history Internet sites
No analysis/historical argument = NOT important
New to you ≠ important (don’t be fooled!)

5. Evaluating sources
Evaluate = weigh strengths and weaknesses (i.e. value and limitation)
ALL important sources have both value and limitation
Must evaluate value and limitation as directly connected to purpose and origin
Important sources may not be valuable to your investigation