Sadler Repor

Introduction:

A primary source is a first-hand, original account, record or evidence about historical people, places, events and objects. Primary sources can be written documents, objects and artifacts, oral histories and recordings, works of art and photographs, among others. Primary sources are important for studying history because they are original documents that were created at the same time as the event or topic they provide clues about. Primary sources are pieces of the historical puzzle; they allow us to make interpretations about events, people, places, etc. in history. Written documents, in particular, are useful for the study of history because these have been created by individuals who were eye-witnesses to the events they are writing about. Examples of documents include written letters, diaries, newspapers, census reports, court records, laws, pamphlets, patents, etc. However, written documents are not always straightforward accounts of the events, places and people they concern themselves with. Researchers must be critical of primary written documents and look beyond the intended meaning of the author to consider also any hidden points of view, agendas and biases the author may have had.

The Assignment:

In 500 words or less, analyze a written document related to the Industrial Revolution. Look through the assortment of written documents (letters, court documents, speeches, etc.) in The Birth of Industrial Britain: Social Change, 1750-1850, edited by K. Morgan (New York: Pearson Longman, 2011), which is available as a Course Reserve in the E. J. Pratt Library, or another text related to the Industrial Revolution of your choice (make sure to give the reference in your cover page). Be sure not to select one of the documents we have studied in class (e.g. Documents 3, 6, 23 and 27). Choose a document that is related in some way to the social, political, and/or economic effects of the Industrial Revolution (e.g. family life, child labor, women’s roles, poverty, urbanization, unions, education, health, etc.). Be sure that there is adequate information to start with, i.e. some information or hints in the document should be given about date/place, historical context/event, writer/speaker, etc.

You will analyze your document as a primary source for the social, political, and/or economic ramifications of the Industrial Revolution in England. Use the handout given in class on the Industrial Revolution (‘The Industrial Revolution: Using Primary Sources to Study History: Documents’ (Primary Sources – Documents – Industrial Revolution-1.docx) as your starting point for analysis. For further guidelines on how to use primary sources to study history, see ‘Engaging Students with Primary Sources’ (PrimarySources.pdfPreview the document )

In your analysis you should provide the following information:

(1) A brief description of the type of document and its character: Is it a letter, court paper, speech, newspaper, report, telegram, patent, etc.? Are there telling details in typing or writing, like stamps, markings, wear, tears, or residues?

(2) A brief discussion about context: Who wrote it? Was he/she an eye witness? Who read it/received it? When/where is it from?

(3) An interpretation of content, i.e. try to make sense of it: What is it about? Why did the author write it? What are his/her motivations? What is happening at this time? Was it intended for a particular audience or occasion? What is the relationship between audience and author? What tone or style is employed and why? Is there something the author intended to convey but does not explicitly state? Why? What biases, if any, might there be? Does the motivation or intended audience affect the tone, content or style?

*(4) A discussion of how the document sheds light on the Industrial Revolution: What does the document tell us about the social, political, economic or religious climate or changes at this time? What did you learn from this primary source that you may not have learnt in a textbook on the Industrial Revolution? Why is it important to look at primary sources like documents and how do they help us better understand history? This should be your primary focus for the assignment. Be sure to provide specific references to the document in your analysis.

Though the assignment is short, you must consult at least 1 reputable, peer-reviewed source. A good place to start is the ‘Further Reading’ section at the end of The Birth of Industrial Britain: Social Change, 1750-1850, edited by K. Morgan (New York: Pearson Longman, 2011), which can be found at the Pratt Library in short term loan. Please list the work you have consulted at the end of your analysis under “Works Cited.” Your assignment should be properly referenced with footnotes or in-body citations, i.e. you should provide specific references to the book, article, news article, etc. you are employing, as well as to your specific document. Analyses without citations are considered plagiarized – a serious offense. Choose one style and stick with it (e.g. APA, Chicago, or MLA).

Provide a cover page for your assignment with the following: (1) your name, (2) the document you have chosen with pertinent information (writer, date, place, context, etc.), and (3) a bibliographic reference to your document (title of book, author, year, page, etc.).

Please also provide an image of your document that is legible.

Grading:

Grading for this assignment will be based on the following components: (1) Content (information about the physical makeup, content, historical context, etc. of the document) [6 points]), (2) Analysis (interpretation and discussion of the document as specific evidence for the Industrial Revolution) [10 points]), (3) Style (ability to engage the reader and present document as a piece of the historical puzzle, grammar, spelling, concision) [2 points], (4) Research (source selection, use of sources, citations and references, correct formatting of references, works cited list) [2 points], for a total of 20 points.