Module 1 Assignment: Primary Source Analysis and Western Expansion

In this module, we learned about analyzing primary source documents using the HAPPY Analysis. For this assignment, you will complete a HAPPY Analysis for one of the primary source documents from the reader for this module or other documents related to westward expansion and Native American life during this time period.

Instructions:

Step 1: Pick a document to analyze:

Step 2: Fill out the HAPPY Analysis Chart for the document you chose. Remember to do a careful, close reading of your source document and fill out the HAPPY analysis in detail.

H

 Historical Context
  • What is the historical context of this source?
  • Where and when was this source produced? Focus on how place and time affect its impact, message, and genesis.
  • Place it in the appropriate context – connect it with ideas before and after, or related events.

A

 Audience
  • Who is the author’s intended audience?
  • How does the audience affect the validity of the document and its message? E.g., how might their message have been modified or shaped to suit their audience?

P

 Purpose
  • What is the author’s purpose and/or motivation for creating this source?
  • Is this intended to persuade or inform? Is this some sort of propaganda?
  • How does this affect reliability and validity?

P

 Point of View
  • What do you know about the author’s background or point of view?
  • How does the author’s role in society and hierarchy affect their perspective?
  • How does this affect the reliability and validity of the source?

Y

 Why? (Significance)
  • What is the main idea the source is trying to convey?
  • Why is this source important to history?
  • If working on an essay, why does this source relate to your thesis and/or the prompt? (Remember to explain this in your writing.)

STEP 3: Submit your completed chart.

Assignment Grading Rubric:

Criteria Poor Good Excellent
Historical Context The response is off-topic, incomplete, superficial, or lacking in analysis or critique. Provides an accurate response to the prompt, but the information delivered is limited or lacking in analysis. Provides a thoughtful and clear response to this component of the HAPPY Analysis. The response corresponds to specific pieces from the reading. __/2
Audience The response is off-topic, incomplete, superficial, or lacking in analysis or critique. Provides an accurate response to the prompt, but the information delivered is limited or lacking in analysis. Provides a thoughtful and clear response to this component of the HAPPY Analysis. The response corresponds to specific pieces from the reading. __/2
Purpose The response is off-topic, incomplete, superficial, or lacking in analysis or critique. Provides an accurate response to the prompt, but the information delivered is limited or lacking in analysis. Provides a thoughtful and clear response to this component of the HAPPY Analysis. The response corresponds to specific pieces from the reading. __/2
Point of View The response is off-topic, incomplete, superficial, or lacking in analysis or critique. Provides an accurate response to the prompt, but the information delivered is limited or lacking in analysis. Provides a thoughtful and clear response to this component of the HAPPY Analysis. The response corresponds to specific pieces from the reading. __/2
Why? (Significance) The response is off-topic, incomplete, superficial, or lacking in analysis or critique. Provides an accurate response to the prompt, but the information delivered is limited or lacking in analysis. Provides a thoughtful and clear response to this component of the HAPPY Analysis. The response corresponds to specific pieces from the reading. __/2
Total __/10