Contextualizing Primary Sources

The second step in analyzing primary sources is contextualization. Contextualizing information helps to shed more light on a certain topic by understanding and sharing what was occuring during a certain time period and location. Contextualizing the source helps to connect your research  to other people, places, and events. Placing primary sources in their historical, cultural, or social context will help to enrich your understanding of them and their use in your writing.

Contextualization is more than just summarizing the information you have discovered.In order to contextualize a primary source you need to ask yourself what was what was occurring at the time the object or document was created, both locally and globally. Could these events have affected why this source was created? Having background knowledge regarding the time period and location you are studying will be key to understanding the context of the primary source you are examining.

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