The primary document that you are analyzing is Phaedo, by Plato. (A primary source is a source that provides a first-hand account of the historical or cultural events of the period in which they were written, painted, composed, etc. A primary document will provide a window into the practices, conditions, social conventions, and/or religious beliefs of a period in history. In general, these are documents that were created by the witnesses or first recorders of these events at about the time they occurred, and include diaries, letters, reports, photographs, creative works, financial records, memos, plays, legal records, court judgments, etc.)
Instructions: How to layout your Primary Document Analysis
You will use the introduction I have provided below (in the red) as your introduction.
Confused? Take a look at a sample primary document analysis.
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The following analysis will examine the Phaedo, by Plato. The following questions will be addressed: What is the historical context of this period? What are the storylines, as revealed in the document? Who was the author and does he reveal a bias? What was the author’s intent in writing this and whom did he see as his audience? What does the document reveal about the Greek notion of fate and free-will? What role does Socrates play in the Phaedo and how is that relevant to Plato’s dialogs in general? What does the document reveal about the Greek notions of the body vs. the soul? And lastly, what stands out as particularly meaningful and why?
YOUR NEXT PARAGRAPH SHOULD BEGIN like this, clearly defining the next question for the reader:
The historical context of the period….
When you are providing the historical context, this is where you will use direct quotes from the Primary Documents to illustrate the historical context, once you have finished move on to the next questions provided in the introduction.
Be direct and to the point, using the Primary Documents to illustrate your points and also use the secondary documents as points of reference to support your understanding of the historical period. This section should be no longer than three-four paragraphs
Your next section should begin like this, clearly defining the next question for the reader:
The author, Plato wrote this to……. His audience most certainly would have been….because…. His bias is revealed when…..
A direct quote from the primary document should be used here as an example to support your perspective. This section should be no longer than three paragraphs
Your next section should begin like this, clearly defining the next question for the reader:The storylines of the documents are as follows …….
Here you will outline the document, providing a summary (a summary is where you take what is written or said, and condense it down to its main points, in essence giving the main idea without going into as much length or detail). NO DIRECT QUOTES IN THIS SECTION. SITE THIS SECTION AT THE END WITH THE PRIMARY DOCUMENT AS YOUR SOURCE, NO OTHER CITATION IS NECESSARY.
This should be no longer than two paragraphs, no direct quotes here, just provide the main points of the document. Direct and to the Point, Cite the Primary Document at the end of this section.
Your next section should begin like this, clearly defining the next question for the reader:
This document shows the conflict in the Greek notion of fate and free-will in the following ways. The role that Socrates play in the Phaedo is…This is relevant because… The Greek notion of the body vs the soul is….
A direct quote from the video AND the primary document should be used here as an illustration of the kind of impact this time period had on the culture. This section should be no longer than three paragraphs
Your last section should begin like this, clearly defining the next question for the reader:
In conclusion, what stands out as particularly meaningful is…
Here you will make your concluding remarks about your analysis, what did you learn from this analysis? What can be learned from this historical period and why is it important? This is where you can interject your personal views, BUT you cannot refer to yourself or talk in the first person.
No using comments like I think, I believe, etc. YOU MUST NEVER TALK TO YOUR READER. Why? Because it weakens your analysis, it makes it seem personal. This section should be no longer than two paragraphs
Format
Title: Plato – Phaedo
Font Style: Times New Roman
Font size: 12 points, Spacing: Double Space
Length: 3 Pages long, it must be three pages long minimum, it can be longer but no shorter.
Citations and formatting: Chicago Style Formatting with inserted footnotes. Need help with formatting? Please review Student Resources
The only source material you may use is from this unit. You are not allowed to use outside sources, doing so will result in a zero.
MINIMUM REFERENCES/PARAPHRASE
Four (4) A paraphrase is a passage borrowed from a source and rewritten in your own words. A paraphrase should be true to the original author’s idea but is rewritten in your own words and sentence structure. Since you are using SOMEONE’S IDEAS and expressing them in your own words, it is very important to give credit to the source of the idea. This will be cited at the end of the paragraphs where you introduce the information provided by others (secondary sources)
MINIMUM DIRECT QUOTES
Four (4) A direct quote is to state what someone else has written, word for word, using their words.
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