Materials Needed A presidential or other political figure's speech. In your research, attempt to find an audio or video file of this speech. Hint: Inauguration speeches are often recorded and have accompanying editorials. They are a primary source.

Two editorials reviewing the speech you selected. These are a secondary source.

Expectations of Your Project:

This is a short research project in which you will explore the impact of perspective on historic events. After your research, write a five-paragraph response to the speech and the critiques you found.

In the introduction, explain how perspective has or could influence the speech. Make sure you include your claim in the thesis statement.

The conclusion lists any discrepancies between the two editorials and your overall finding about perspective.

The middle three body paragraphs summarize the speech and each of the two editorials.

ANALYZING THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES

Step One: The Primary Source

A primary source provides direct evidence about an event; it is the original source. The speech you found is considered a primary source. When researching, it is important to locate and review the primary source before you analyze any secondary sources.

Listen to or read the speech before you read the editorials. Don't worry if you find yourself listening to the speech several times in order to understand the main points. Taking notes will help. Imagine explaining the speech to a friend who does not follow politics. Then, write a summary of the speech. Make sure your summary includes the following information.

Who gave the speech and when?

What is the central idea of the speech?

What are the specific details or key elements that support the central idea?

How was the speech structured? Was the central idea stated clearly in the beginning or did the speaker gradually move to a call to action?

What key words or catch phrases were used? What did the speaker imply by using these words?

What was your overall opinion of the speech?

Step Two: Secondary Sources

A secondary source describes, interprets, or comments upon a primary source. Secondary sources need primary sources in order to exist. So, the secondary source is always crafted after the primary source has happened. In your case, you have found two secondary sources, the two editorials.

Now, read the two editorials you found. Write a summary for EACH of the editorials. Make sure EACH of the editorial summaries includes the answers to the following questions.

What is the title of the editorial?

Who wrote the editorial, and in what newspaper or website did you find it?

What is the topic of the editorial?

Are there clues about the author's perspective? If so, give an example.

Is there evidence of bias? If so, give an example.

What might contribute to an author's biased opinion?

How might someone else have interpreted the same event?

Do you think this editorial is better than the other editorial? Why?