Street Law, Inc. and The Supreme Court Historical Society present

Landmark Cases of the U.S. Supreme Court

Street Law /

Document Analysis

Directions

Using the photo of Gideon's petition, complete the following questions:  

  1. Type of document (Check one):
    • _____ Newspaper
    • _____ Letter
    • _____ Patent
    • _____ Memorandum
    • _____ Map
    • _____ Telegram
    • _____ Press release
    • _____ Report
    • _____ Advertisement
    • _____ Congressional record
    • _____ Census report
    • _____ Other
  2. Unique physical qualities of the document. (Check one or more. For each item that you check, note details.)
    • _____ Interesting letterhead
    • _____ Handwritten
    • _____ Typed
    • _____ Seals
    • _____ Notations
    • _____ "RECEIVED" stamp
    • _____ Other
  3. Author (or Creator) of the document:
  4. Why do you think this document was written?
  5. What evidence in the document helps you know why it was written? Quote from the document.  
  6. Discuss responses with your classmates.

Adapted from: National Archives and Records Administration. "Written Document Analysis Worksheet." [Online] 14 May 2002. <http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/worksheets/document.html>.

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