WHO wrote or created it? What is the creator’s ROLE during this time in history? Was the creator ALIVE during the time of the source’s creation? Has the creator done RESEARCH to become knowledgeable about the topic?

What is the author’s or creator’s PERSPECTIVE? Is there any reason to believe the creator may have BIAS? Could the creator have access to INFORMATION that other people may not have?

WHAT kind of source is it? Letter Diary Photograph Map

WHEN was it written or created? Was it created BEFORE, DURING, or AFTER the event being described / depicted? How does this AFFECT what is included in the source?

WHERE was it written or created? Was the source created near the LOCATION where the historical event occurred?

WHY was it written or created? Is the purpose of the source to ENTERTAIN, PERSUADE, INFORM, or DESCRIBE? Who is the intended AUDIENCE?

Is this source RELIABLE (trustworthy)? Why or why not? Using the answers to the questions above, can we use the source as a reliable piece of evidence to answer the Historical Question?