* Your personal opinions or beliefs: The focus should be on understanding the source within its historical context, not your own interpretations.
* Modern-day values and perspectives: While it's helpful to compare the source to current understandings, avoid judging the source through a modern lens.
* Irrelevant biographical information about the author: Unless the author's life directly impacted the creation of the source, their personal details are not essential.
Instead, focus on:
* The historical context: When and where was the source created? What were the major events, social norms, and political climate surrounding it?
* The author's background and purpose: Who created the source? What was their intended audience? What was their goal in creating it?
* The source's genre and form: Is it a letter, a diary entry, a speech, a legal document? How does the form impact the content and meaning?
* Other relevant primary and secondary sources: How does the source relate to other information from the same time period?
By understanding the context of a primary source, you can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.