Module 8 Assignment: Document Analysis
Introduces students to primary resources, how to analyze them, and their overall importance.
Document Analysis on Muhammad; Last Sermon
Read: Muhammad’s Last Sermon, (link opens in new window) (the first section provides background, then the speech follows.)
Questions to consider as you read: What are three main points or messages in Muhammad’s last speech? What does he say about honesty, the place of women, and relations between people?
Document Analysis Assignment Instructions
You are asked to write several document analyses (each 2 pages double-spaced) throughout the semester. You should follow the three steps below in preparing your document analysis.
Step One: Introduction: Consider these questions as you read the document and write your introduction: Who is the author? When was it written? What was the purpose of the document? You will need to include some background material to answer these questions.
Be sure to include a thesis statement (or problem, mystery, etc.) about which you write. In general, your thesis statement should answer the following: what will this document be able to tell us about people and history?
Step Two: Consider 2, or better 3 main paragraphs. You should paraphrase the author’s 2-3 main arguments or positions. You will also want to offer your own interpretation of the material. Quotes should be used as evidence to illustrate your interpretation. In considering your interpretation, evaluate whether or not the author achieved their objective and how well, and consider what we can learn about the society / individual under discussion.
Step Three: Review your draft analysis. Your last paragraph is your conclusion and should highlight what we have learned after reading your essay. Ask yourself: What does the evidence say, and what does it not say? How does the document add to the understanding of history and its legacy?
Have I documented additional information used? Any subjective or potentially controversial material should include an in-text reference in (Author, year) format. All outside material must be included in a final Reference list at the end of your paper, in APA format with the URL if found online.
Please also review BRCC statement on plagiarism. Any copying from any sources will be treated strictly and paper will be given grade of zero. Copying is easy to detect, its cheating, and unfair. Just don't do it.
Before submitting: Have you proof-read your paper? Avoid using I, we, and you, but better, persuade your reader by using solid evidence. That means you should re-write any sentence that includes, I believe, or I think, and just explain with evidence. Avoid using casual language and slang, but opt for a more formal choice of words.