O.P.V.L. Source Analysis

Origin, Purpose, Value, & Limitation

Today’s ObjectivesContent

Objective I can explain the

difference between a Primary and Secondary Source

I can identify the questions to ask for each section of OPVL.

Language Objective

I can write responses to each section using complete sentences.

Today’s Key Terms Primary Source

Secondary Source

Where does History Come From?

Source Analysis Source Analysis is at the heart

of studying history. It requires you to interpret a source on multiple levels and to think deeply about what it says, how it helps you answer a question, and whether you can trust the source.

Primary Sources Sources that are created at the time of the event

by people who witnessed the events first hand. Diary Entries Photographs Letters Newspaper Articles Tweets Speech

Secondary Sources Sources that are created by historians after

the events or time periods have already occurred. Secondary Sources use primary sources as evidence for their work. Textbooks Historical Fiction Movies Documentaries Songs

Primary or Secondary?

A family portrait (painting) from 1785.

The Diary of Ann Frank

12 Years a Slave (Movie)

Your Grandparents’ Record Collection

A picture book on the signing of the Declaration of Independence

Key Ideas Secondary Sources are limited by the

sources they have available to them…they don’t tell ALL of the story!

There are always more ideas and details to be looking for in every story.

The information we have impacts the story we tell. But, the story we want to tell impacts the facts we use…

General Notes about OPVL

OPVL will help you organize your thoughts and think critically about the sources you work with.

OPVL can be used for both Primary and Secondary Sources.

You will not always be able to answer all the questions from each section but always try to.

Each question should be answered using complete sentences and you should be able to write a summary for each section using full sentences.

Example Primary Source“The White Man’s Burden”

Take up the White Man's burden--Send forth the best ye breed--Go bind your sons to exileTo serve your captives' need;To wait in heavy harness,On fluttered folk and wild--Your new-caught, sullen peoples,Half-devil and half-child.

Take up the White Man's burden--In patience to abide,To veil the threat of terrorAnd check the show of pride;

By open speech and simple,An hundred times made plainTo seek another's profit,And work another's gain.

Take up the White Man's burden--The savage wars of peace--Fill full the mouth of FamineAnd bid the sickness cease;And when your goal is nearestThe end for others sought,Watch sloth and heathen FollyBring all your hopes to nought.

Origin Goal: To identify basic background information about the

creation of the document.

Questions include… Who created this source? When was this source created? Where was this source created? When was it published? Who is publishing it? Is there anything we know about the creator that is

pertinent to our evaluation?

Purpose Goal: To explain WHY this source was created. You

should be only focusing on this source at this time.

Questions include… Why does this document exist? Why was this source created? What is the intent/goal? Why did the creator choose this particular format? Who is the intended audience? Who does the creator

want to see this source? What is the main message (Thesis) of the source?

Value Goal: To explain how this source helps you as a historian

answer a question or understand the time period better.

Questions include… What can you tell about the creator from this source? What can you tell about the time period from this source? What can we tell about any controversies from this source? Does the creator represent a particular “side” of a controversy or

event? What can we tell about the author’s perspectives from the piece? What was going on in history at the time that this source was

created?

Limitation Goal: To explain how this source is not valuable to

historians in answering their questions. Note: Having bias does not mean that it is not limited.

Questions Include… What part of the story can we not tell from this source?

Whose story is not told? Can we verify the content of this source? Does this source inaccurately reflect anything about this

time period? What does the creator leave out and why do they leave it

out (if you know)? What is purposefully left out?

General Tips on OPVL

Origin: Complete all sections that you can. The more info, the better!

Purpose: “Format” is an explanation for why the creator chose the format they did.

Content: Use Quotations and specific concrete details. Don’t summarize.

Value: Explain why it is helpful in answering the essential question.

Limitation: How does the origin and purpose limit our ability to trust the source?

OPVL Practice Essential Question: Upon Independence, what is the

legacy of Belgian Colonization in the Congo? Origin: Who is the speaker? Purpose: Why are they giving the speech on that day? Main Claim: According to the speaker, what is the

legacy of colonialism in Congo? Value: How does this source help us understand the

legacy of colonialism in the Congo? Limitation: How does this source fail to help us

understand the legacy of colonialism in the Congo?