Who wrote this text? When did they write it? What do I know about the events being discussed? What is the author’s main idea? What is the text generally about?

Touchstone 1: Case Study Close Reading

ASSIGNMENT: For this Touchstone, you will 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. You will 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 I 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. It will also prepare you for later Touchstones, which ask you to research a historical question and create a presentation to help others understand how historical events can be applied to current issues. Lastly, it will develop your problem solving skills, because being a critical reader helps you to obtain and evaluate the information you need to solve problems.