This document provides an introduction to analyzing primary and secondary sources using the OPVL (Origin, Purpose, Value, Limitation) framework. It defines primary sources as those created during the event by eyewitnesses, and secondary sources as those created later by historians using primary sources. The document explains how to identify a source as primary or secondary, and provides examples of each. It then demonstrates how to analyze a sample primary source poem using the OPVL framework to understand the source's origin, purpose, value and limitations for historians. The document provides guidance on properly answering each OPVL section.

1. O.P.V.L. Source
Analysis
Origin, Purpose, Value, & Limitation

2. Today’s Objectives
Content Objective
 I can explain the difference
between a Primary and
Secondary Source
 I can identify the questions to
ask for each section of OPVL.
Language
Objective
 I can write responses to each
section using complete
sentences.

3. Today’s Key Terms
 Primary Source
 Secondary Source

4. Where does History Come
From?
Source Analysis
 Source Analysis is at the heart of studying
history. It requires you to interpret a
source on multiple levels and to think
deeply about what it says, how it helps you
answer a question, and whether you can
trust the source.

5. Primary Sources
 Sources that are created at the time of the event by
people who witnessed the events first hand.
 Diary Entries
 Photographs
 Letters
 Newspaper Articles
 Tweets
 Speech

6. Secondary Sources
 Sources that are created by historians after the events or
time periods have already occurred. Secondary Sources
use primary sources as evidence for their work.
 Textbooks
 Historical Fiction
 Movies
 Documentaries
 Songs

7. Primary or Secondary?
 A family portrait (painting) from 1785.
 The Diary of Ann Frank
 12 Years a Slave (Movie)
 Your Grandparents’ Record Collection
 A picture book on the signing of the Declaration of
Independence

8. Key Ideas
 Secondary Sources are limited by the sources they have
available to them…they don’t tell ALL of the story!
 There are always more ideas and details to be looking for
in every story.
 The information we have impacts the story we tell. But,
the story we want to tell impacts the facts we use…

9. General Notes about OPVL
 OPVL will help you organize your thoughts and think
critically about the sources you work with.
 OPVL can be used for both Primary and Secondary
Sources.
 You will not always be able to answer all the questions
from each section but always try to.
 Each question should be answered using complete
sentences and you should be able to write a summary for
each section using full sentences.

10. Example Primary Source
“The White Man’s Burden”
Take up the White Man's
burden--
Send forth the best ye breed--
Go bind your sons to exile
To serve your captives' need;
To wait in heavy harness,
On fluttered folk and wild--
Your new-caught, sullen
peoples,
Half-devil and half-child.
Take up the White Man's
burden--
In patience to abide,
To veil the threat of terror
And check the show of pride;
By open speech and simple,
An hundred times made plain
To seek another's profit,
And work another's gain.
Take up the White Man's
burden--
The savage wars of peace--
Fill full the mouth of Famine
And bid the sickness cease;
And when your goal is nearest
The end for others sought,
Watch sloth and heathen Folly
Bring all your hopes to nought.

11. Origin
 Goal: To identify basic background information about the creation
of the document.
 Questions include…
 Who created this source?
 When was this source created?
 Where was this source created?
 When was it published?
 Who is publishing it?
 Is there anything we know about the creator that is pertinent to our evaluation?

12. Purpose
 Goal: To explain WHY this source was created. You should be
only focusing on this source at this time.
 Questions include…
 Why does this document exist?
 Why was this source created? What is the intent/goal?
 Why did the creator choose this particular format?
 Who is the intended audience? Who does the creator want to
see this source?
 What is the main message (Thesis) of the source?

13. Value
 Goal: To explain how this source helps you as a historian answer a
question or understand the time period better.
 Questions include…
 What can you tell about the creator from this source?
 What can you tell about the time period from this source?
 What can we tell about any controversies from this source?
 Does the creator represent a particular “side” of a controversy or
event?
 What can we tell about the author’s perspectives from the piece?
 What was going on in history at the time that this source was created?

14. Limitation
 Goal: To explain how this source is not valuable to historians in
answering their questions.
 Note: Having bias does not mean that it is not limited.
 Questions Include…
 What part of the story can we not tell from this source? Whose story
is not told?
 Can we verify the content of this source?
 Does this source inaccurately reflect anything about this time period?
 What does the creator leave out and why do they leave it out (if you
know)?
 What is purposefully left out?

15. General Tips on OPVL
 Origin: Complete all sections that you can. The more info,
the better!
 Purpose: “Format” is an explanation for why the creator
chose the format they did.
 Content: Use Quotations and specific concrete details.
Don’t summarize.
 Value: Explain why it is helpful in answering the essential
question.
 Limitation: How does the origin and purpose limit our
ability to trust the source?

16. OPVL Practice
 Essential Question: Upon Independence, what is the legacy of
Belgian Colonization in the Congo?
 Origin: Who is the speaker?
 Purpose: Why are they giving the speech on that day?
 Main Claim: According to the speaker, what is the legacy of
colonialism in Congo?
 Value: How does this source help us understand the legacy of
colonialism in the Congo?
 Limitation: How does this source fail to help us understand
the legacy of colonialism in the Congo?