Source Analysis (OPVL)
- 2. “OPVL” is a technique for analyzing historical sources. It helps you figure out why the document is important/significant and helps us learn more about history.
- 3. Shelter Pets
- 4. Source Analysis ORIGIN The ORIGIN of a source includes the: - Author - Information about the Author - Publisher - Publication Date - Title This is all written formally in 1 to 2 sentences What is the origin of the video?
- 5. Example Response Origin The video “#StartAStoryAdopt” was published by the nonprofit organization The Shelter Pet Project. It was published on January 29, 2016 on Youtube.
- 6. Source Analysis PURPOSE The PURPOSE of a source explains what the source is attempting to do. - Why does this document exist? - Why did the author create this piece of work? What is the intent? - Why did the author choose this particular format? - Who is the intended audience? Who was the author thinking would receive this? - What does the document “say”? - Can it tell you more than is on the surface? What is the purpose of the video?
- 7. Example Response Purpose The video “#StartAStoryAdopt” was created as a persuasive piece to convince people to adopt animals. The publisher targeted the ad towards younger generations, specifically people who already own pets or are animal lovers.
- 8. TOGETHER, the Origin and Purpose are used to explain the Value and Limitation of the document. ORIGIN Tells us where the document came from. This is 1-2 sentences. PURPOSE Explains why the author decided to create it. Says who the author was writing it to. This is also 1-2 sentences.
- 10. With reference to the ORIGIN and the PURPOSE, what is the VALUE/LIMITATION for historians studying or learning about this event?
- 11. Source Analysis: Value Now comes the hard part. Putting on your historian hat, you must determine (keeping in mind who wrote it) when/where it came from and why it was created…what value does this document bring to us as historians and learners? This is where you show your expertise and put the piece in context. Bring in your outside information here. ● What can we tell about the author from the piece? ● What can we tell about the time period from the piece? The feelings of the time? ● Under what circumstances was the piece created and how does the piece reflect those circumstances? ● What can we tell about any controversies from the piece? ● Does the author represent a particular ‘side’ of a controversy or event? ● Does the Origin make the source more or less valuable?
- 12. Example Response VALUE This video gives value to us as historians because it reveals what is important to this particular society. Clearly, this society places a high importance on animals, and believes all animals, regardless of physical appearance, deserve a caring owner. Furthermore, the advertisement illustrates this society is dependent on social media, and is influenced and driven by the amount of responses received by others. Because of these two elements, The Shelter Pet Project reveals that the targeted audience of the millennial generation values both the animal life and public opinion, and ties them both together to create a persuading
- 13. Source Analysis: Limitations The task here is not to point out weaknesses of the source, but rather to say: at what point does this source cease to be of value to us as historians and learners studying this event? With a primary source document, having an incomplete picture of the whole is a given because the source was created by one person, naturally they will not have given every detail of the context. However, secondary sources also have their disadvantages that need to be addressed. ● Is there a clear bias that can be identified based on who the author is, when it was created or the words that were chosen? ● What part of the story can we NOT tell from this document? ● How could we verify the content of the piece? Does this piece inaccurately reflect anything about the time period? ● What does the author leave out and why does he/she leave it out (if you know)? ● What is purposely not addressed?
- 14. Example Response LIMITATION Based off the origin and purpose, one of the limitations presented by this commercial is the author’s inability to address the potential risks of adopting a shelter pet. The author mainly focuses on the “cuteness” and popularity that could be gained from a shelter pet, and blatantly ignores the potential harms of adopting such an animal. Sheltered pets come with baggage; namely, anxiety and health issues. By only addressing the information on the surface, the commercial is limited to the superficial details it includes.
- 15. In reference to the Origin and Purpose... VALUE Explain why this document could be important for historians or learners. REMEMBER, you must include evidence from the source AND explain how value is given to the document based off of what you know about the Origin and Purpose LIMITATIONS Sure this source can teach us something, but where does it stop short. Where could it hamper our learning and not be beneficial? REMEMBER, you must include specific references to the source in your response AND explain how there is a limitation on the source based off of what you know about the Origin and Purpose.
- 16. ● “Conquest of Mexico” ● Diego Rivera - a famous Mexican artist, most noted for his mural paintings ● 1929-1932 ● One part of a larger mural called “The History of Mexico” ● Rivera was hired by the government to portray Indians in a better light, and to criticize the Spaniards. They did this to celebrate the Mexican Revolution Examining this mural, what can be learned of the Systems of Empire and Spanish colonization in Mexico?
- 17. ● “Altarpiece of Independence” ● Juan O’Gorman - Mexican painter and architect commissioned to portray Mexican history ● One part of a larger mural on display on the National Museum of Art in Mexico City ● 1960-61 With a partner, analyze this mural using OPVL.
- 18. ● “Washington Crossing the Delaware” ● Emanuel Leutze - German American history painter, most famous for this painting ● 1851 ● Oil on canvas Depicting the crossing of the Continental Army on the morning of December 25, 1776 on their way to surprise attack the Hessians in the Battle of Trenton. What can we learn about American history from this piece?
Editor's Notes
- #19: If more practice is needed, refer to American history