Select a source on a topic in U.S. history to read like a historian. Who wrote this text? When did they write it? What do you know about the events being discussed? Explain.

Touchstone 1: Case Study Close Reading

For this Touchstone, select a source on a topic in U.S. history to read like a historian.

As you learned, doing a close reading means reading the text multiple times, with a different set of questions in mind each time. Then write and submit answers to a set of close reading questions:

Origin and context: Who wrote this text? When did they write it? What do you know about the events being discussed?

Meaning: What is the author’s main idea? What is the text generally about?

Argument: What is the author’s point of view? Are they trying to convince the reader of something? What evidence do they use to support their argument?

Skills: Is there evidence in the text of agility or problem solving skills being used? In what way(s)?

This Touchstone provides an opportunity for you to delve more deeply into a topic in U.S. history and practice thinking like a historian.

Select a source on a topic in U.S. history to read like a historian. Who wrote this text? When did they write it? What do you know about the events being discussed? Explain.