Initial Questions

• What are your first impressions?
• What type of document is it? (Photograph, poster, letter, newspaper article, etc.)
• If it is handwritten, is the handwriting legible?
• For documents: Are there any unique physical characteristics? (Print type, notations, stamps, watermarks, etc.)
• For photographs: What catches your eye first? What people, objects, places or activities do you see?
• For posters: What are the main colors? Are there symbols? If so, are they easy  to interpret? Is the message primarily visual, verbal, or both?

Analyzing the Document

• Who created this item?
• What is the context for the document?
  • When was it created?
  • Where was it created?
• Who was the intended audience?
• What does the language tell us about the document, its author(s), and its audience?
  • What is the "voice" of the document?
  • Is there any specific vocabulary or slang used? Slogans? Idioms?
• Why was the document written? For what purpose was this item created?
• What does the document tell me about the society or person who produced it?
• Why is the document significant? (The "so what" question)
• Can I learn anything from the way the document was produced and/or distributed? (Ex: a mass printed pamphlet versus a unique poster)
• Are there larger national or international movements that are reflected in this document?

Looking Further

• What questions does the item raise?
• Where could I look to answer those questions? (What additional resources do I need?)