How do I complete a source analysis?

First, you have to read the source. After the first reading, ask yourself whether this a primary or secondary source? A primary source is an orignal source from the time - a newspaper article, a speech, or a photograph. A secondary source is one written after the event, such as from a history book. Once you have established this, read through the source again. On this readthrough write answers to the 5 'Bums on a Seat' questions: What is the source, Who wrote it, When did they write it, Where did they write it, Why did they write it, Who did they write it for and How did they write it? Answering these questions will describe the source. When writing this part of your answer, make sure to use your own knowledge from history and make sure that your answer is clear on the source's message.The second focus on source analysis questions should be on evaluating the source. Say whether this source is purely based on facts, or full of opinions. When doing this, make sure you link it back to the source's purpose - a poster or a politican's speech will be full of persuasive features so can not be fully factually. Then, assess how reliable is the source. How useful is it to you as a historian? Is it limited in what it tells you? What is the source's message and is this historically accurate, or does it reveal bias on the part of the writer?