Introduction to Analysing Sources

Welcome to one of the most important parts of your GCSE History course! In the Source and interpretation skills section, you aren't just learning facts; you are learning how to be a historical detective.

In your exams (specifically Paper 1 Section B and Paper 2 Section A), you will be given "unseen" sources. These are pieces of evidence from the past that you haven't studied before. Your job is to figure out how useful they are. Don't worry if this seems tricky at first—once you have a simple system, you'll be able to tackle any source the exam throws at you!

What is a Contemporary Source?

A contemporary source is something created at the time of the event you are studying. It is a "first-hand" account. Examples include:

  • Letters and diaries
  • Speeches by leaders
  • Government reports
  • Photographs and posters
  • Cartoons from newspapers

The Big Concept: Utility

In your exam, the questions will often ask: "How useful is this source...?"

Utility simply means "helpfulness." How much does this source help a historian understand the topic they are investigating?

Top Tip: Every source is useful for something. Even if a source is full of lies or exaggerations (like a piece of propaganda), it is still useful because it tells us what the creator wanted people to believe at the time.

The Key Tool: Provenance (NOP)

To decide how useful a source is, you must look at its provenance. This is the "label" or description provided with the source that tells you where it came from. A great way to remember how to check provenance is the NOP rule:

1. Nature (What is it?)

Is it a private letter? A public poster? An official law?
Example: A private diary entry might be more honest than a public speech because the writer didn't think anyone else would read it.

2. Origin (Who, When, Where?)

Who wrote or created it? Was it someone who was actually there (an eye-witness)? When was it made?
Example: A report about the Battle of Hastings written in 1066 is likely to have different details than one written 30 years later.

3. Purpose (Why was it made?)

Was it made to inform, to persuade, to complain, or to trick people?
Example: A Nazi propaganda poster from the 1930s has the purpose of making Hitler look like a hero. This makes it very useful for studying Nazi methods of control, even if the image isn't "true."

How to Evaluate Utility: The Three-Step Process

To get the highest marks, you need to combine three things in your answer:

Step 1: Content (What it says/shows)
Look at the source. What information does it give you? Use a short quote or describe a detail from the image. "Source A is useful because it shows the difficult conditions in the trenches..."

Step 2: Provenance (The NOP)
Use the "label" to explain why the creator or the timing makes it more or less useful. "As this was a speech by President Roosevelt, it is useful for showing the government's official attitude toward the New Deal."

Step 3: Own Knowledge (What you already know)
This is the "secret ingredient." Use facts you've learned in class to support or challenge the source. Does the source match what you know happened? "From my own knowledge, I know that the Great Depression caused mass unemployment, which matches the 'breadline' shown in the source."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The "Bias" Trap: Many students say, "This source is biased, so it is not useful." Don't do this! Instead, say, "This source is biased, which makes it very useful for showing the opinions/intentions of [Name of Person/Group]."

The "Reliability" Trap: Don't just focus on whether the source is "trustworthy." A source can be untrustworthy but still incredibly useful to a historian.

Quick Review: The Checklist

When you see a source in Paper 1 or Paper 2, ask yourself these quick questions:

  • What can I see or read in the source that helps me answer the question?
  • Who created this, and does their position make the source more helpful?
  • Why did they create it? (To persuade? To record?)
  • Does this match what I know about this period of history?
Key Takeaway

Utility = Content + Provenance + Own Knowledge. Treat every source as a piece of a puzzle. It might not show the whole picture, but it always shows a piece of it!

For more help on other skills, see the chapter on "Comparing and evaluating historical interpretations."