Primary Source Analysis #2

Primary Source Analysis #2:

In conjunction with our discussion of combatting piracy on the high seas on Wednesday, March

4th, you will be asked to read through an excerpt from the log of the Somerset, one of two vessels

outfitted by local merchants in Barbados to hunt down Bart Roberts. This reading can be found

in the Files module on Canvas and is entitled Document 44: A Skirmish with Bartholomew

Roberts (1720). For your assignment, you will be asked to analyze the primary source reading

and complete the following:

1. Describe the historical context behind the primary source reading. Explain what events

were happening at the time and why they were occurring.

2. Briefly explain what the source is, who the person writing it was, what it is about, and

who the intended audience was.

3. Explain what this document says about the historical time period in which it was

produced and the actors involved, specifically the Golden Age of Piracy in the early 18th

century. You also want to describe what we can learn from this document about the period

and what it can tell us about how pirates were confronted at sea. Essentially, you want to

connect the content of the primary source to the historical context.

A rubric has been attached with the assignment to give you an idea of how I plan to grade it. This

will be your best guide to understanding what I expect for this assignment. Additionally, you are

only allowed to use the book and my lectures as sources other than the documents. DO NOT

USE ANY OTHER SOURCES OR YOU WILL BE SEVERELY PENALIZED!!!

To cite the information you use in your assignment, please use MLA-style in-text

citations/parentheses. When citing the book, put the authors name and the page number in

parentheses. When citing the source, just put the title of the source in the parentheses. When

citing my lectures, put it as follows

(Professor Chadarevian, Lecture, date of lecture)

I strongly recommend you structure your writing into paragraphs as it will make it flow

smoother. Your assignment also needs to be at least 600-700 words long, double-spaced, and in

Times New Roman, 12pt. font. Though I will be accounting for these factors as I grade, I will

primarily be grading you for how sufficient your analysis of the primary source is and the overall

content of your assignment. Please email me if you have any questions about the assignment.

Primary Source Analysis
Criteria	Ratings	Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContext	20 to >17.0 ptsExcellentThe student shows a detailed and sophisticated knowledge of the historical context, and relates specifics of that history to the specifics of the primary source.17 to >15.0 ptsGoodThe student shows a general knowledge of the historical context, and uses it to examine the specifics in the primary source. 15 to >13.0 ptsLimitedThe student shows only a limited understanding of the historical context of the document, or does not relate that context to the primary source itself.13 to >0 ptsWeakThe student does not discuss and shows little to no understanding of the historical context.	20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSource	30 to >27.0 ptsExcellentThe student clearly and specifically discusses the primary source’s author, origins, and likely audience, connects them to specific details in the source, and uses that information in a sophisticated way to deepen understanding of the document.27 to >23.0 ptsGoodThe student discusses the author, origins of the primary source, or the likely audience, and relates them to the source in a general way. 23 to >20.0 ptsLimitedThe student’s discussion of the primary sources author, origins, and audience is limited, and that information is not used to effectively deepen understanding of the document.20 to >0 ptsWeakLittle to no discussion of the primary source’s author, origin, or likely audience.	30 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAnalysis	40 to >35.0 ptsExcellentThe analysis of the primary source is sharp, sophisticated and insightful, reflecting both an understanding of the general content of the document and and ability to engage with the specifics of the document to gain insight into the source itself, its author and/or the time period35 to >31.0 ptsGoodThe analysis of the primary source is solid and straightforward, showing a good understanding of the content of the document and an ability to use that understanding to illustrate the document, its author and/or the time period. 31 to >27.0 ptsLimitedThe analysis of the primary source shows some insight, but is flawed in some way, because of either failure to properly understand the document, factual errors in understanding the historical context, or unclear statements and/or logic.27 to >0 ptsWeakThere is little to no analysis of the primary source, and discussion of it is largely limited to summarizing the content.	40 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMechanics	10 to >9.0 ptsExcellentNo issues with grammar, style, or structure.9 to >7.0 ptsGoodMinor issues with grammar, style, or structure. 7 to >5.0 ptsPoorRecurring issues with grammar, syntax, or structure.5 to >0 ptsWeakMajor issues with grammar, style, or structure.	10 pts

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