If We Knew Then What We Know Now

Document Analysis Worksheet

1. What type of document are you examining?

___Speech                ___Photograph

___Letter                  ___Telegram

___Memorandum       ___Press Release

___Report                 ___Other

2. Unique physical characteristics of the document (may be more than one):

___Interesting Letterhead     ___Notations

___Handwritten                   ___"RECEIVED" stamp

___Typed                   ___Other ___________________________

___Seals    

3. Date(s) of the document: _________________________________________

In relation to the Cuban missile crisis, when was it authored?

In relation to the Cuban missile crisis, when was it made public? What does this tell you about the sensitivity of the information?

4. Author(s) of the document: _______________________________________

Author's job:__________________________________

5. For whom is the document written?   How can you tell?

6. List three things the document shows that indicate how much of a threat your adversary is:

7. Why was the document written?   What evidence in the document helps you know why it was written?

8. What do you still need to know in order to more fully understand the document?

9. Using the information you have gathered, make a prediction about what you think next action of your adversary will be.

Adapted from: “Written Document Analysis Worksheet.” February 21, 2004. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration , <http://www.archives.gov>.