Hrm, company-of-origin, analysis
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A guide for analyzing historical documents
OPCVL: Origin, Purpose, Content, Value, Limitation
Origin, Purpose, Content, Value, Limitation (OPCVL) is a technique for analyzing historical documents. It is used extensively in the International Baccalaureate curriculum and testing materials, and is incredibly helpful in teaching students to be critical observers and analytical thinkers.
Origin:
Is this a primary or secondary source? What leads you to characterize it as one or the other?
Who is the author?
When and where was it created/published? Who published it?
Is there anything we know about the author that is pertinent to our evaluation?
Purpose:
Why does this document exist?
Why did the author create this piece of work? Consider intent/audience/format.
Can it tell you more than is on the surface?
Content:
What is the main idea of the source?... In other words, what does it “say”?
What arguments, analysis, or conclusion are present within the source’s content?
What evidence is used to support what is said, and is the evidence reliable?
***With reference to origin, purpose and content, analyze the values and limitations of the source. ***
Value:
What can we tell about the author and/or time period from the piece? (Origin)
Under what circumstances was the piece created and how does the piece reflect those circumstances? (Origin and Purpose)
What can we tell about any controversies from the piece? (Purpose and Content)
What can we tell about the author’s perspectives from the piece? (Purpose)
What was going on in history at the time the piece was created and how does this piece accurately reflect it? (Put the document in historical context!) (Origin, Purpose and Content)
Limitation:
What part of the story can we NOT tell from this document? (Content)
Does the author represent a particular ‘side’ of a controversy or event? (Origin and Purpose)
Does this piece inaccurately reflect anything about the time period? (Origin and Content)
What does the author leave out and why does he/she leave it out (if you know)? (Purpose and Content)