Stage 3: Research and Annotations

Ask yourself these questions when analyzing documents.

1. 1. “What exactly does the document mean?”
   
2. What is the literal versus real meaning, e.g., in a diplomatic exchange?
   
3. What do the words in the source mean, e.g., gay in the 1890s meant something quite different from what it meant in the 1990s.
4. “How well situated was the author to observe or record the events in question?”
5. “When, how, and to whom was the report made?"
6. “Is there bias either in the report, or in yourself, that must be accounted for?”
7. “What specialized information is needed to interpret the source?”
   
8. “Do the reported actions seem probable according to the dictates of informed common sense?”
9. “Is there corroborating testimony?" Do others agree?