Primary sources are the first-hand accounts of a topic or time period. You probably already use them in your work. Music can be especially powerful as a primary source because of its ability to convey emotion and feelings. The following primary source analysis strategies tools can be used with virtually any song, on this website or elsewhere.
General Strategies
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- Using Primary Sources (Library of Congress)
- Analyzing Songs and Sound Recordings (Library of Congress)
- Analyzing Sheet Music (Library of Congress)
- Primary Source Strategies (CollegeBoard)
- Document Analysis Worksheets (National Archives)
- Engaging Students with Primary Sources (Smithsonian National Museum of American History)