Harvard University Independent Document Analysis

        Independent Document Analysis.

You will write your OWN document analysis for a newspaper article, from the New York Times, 1850s, concerning anything happening west of the Mississippi River. Skim through the newspaper on any date in the 1850s. You might be surprised at the racist, sexist writings that passed for news in those days.

        Submit a photo or capture of the article, as well as the analysis.

        Use our standard single document analysis form:

1. Is the source intended for private use (like a memo or letter to one person) or to be viewed by the public (such as a newspaper article or government document)? Why do you think that? What clues guide you?

2. Is it an eyewitness account? This means did the author actually see or take place in the event? Does it claim to use eyewitness accounts? How do you know? Why did you make that decision?

3. What bias or slant can be seen in the document, if any? This means is the author prejudice against someone or does s/he write to make someone look guilty or bad? Where? Give examples.

4. When was it written? By whom? If there is no author, or it is a photo, where did it come from? What is the subject (if a photo)?

5. If written, what is the overall tone of the piece? Does the author use loaded or charged words (evil, wicked, vile, perfect, precious, etc.). Give examples. If a photograph, what stands out to you?

?These are the 5 basic questions for document analysis. However, there is more you should do. For example, if a location is mentioned, find it on a map. Consider distance, method of travel, and time. How long did it take for news to arrive? How far from the incident’s occurrence did someone write the document? Does memory fade or change over time?