The Library of Congress

Doing the Decades:
Group Investigations in Twentieth Century U. S. History

Using Primary Sources:
What Can They Reveal To Us About the Past?

1. the context within which it was created; and
2. its possible significance for reconstructing how life existed at that time.

Source Type:

Document	Photograph	Audio recording	Map	Motion picture
Other: (Describe)

I. Focus Questions: Context

1. Who created this source?
    
    
    

2. When was the source created?
    
    
    

3. Where was the source created?
    
    
    

4. For what purpose was the source created?
    
    
    

5. How was the source created?
    
    
    

6. What does the source describe, depict or explain?
    
    
    

II. Focus Questions: Significance

1. Based upon your observations of the source, what period(s), issue(s) or event(s) in U. S. history are being examined?
    
    
    

2. What prior knowledge are you bringing to this source that helped to form your observations and your response to Significance Question #1?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

3. What can you conclude about the relationship of this source to a particular period, issue or event in U. S. history?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

4. What additional questions does this source raise? What else do you need to know?