To comment an historical text we will keep the following steps:

1. Reading and preparation

2. Text Classification
3. Textual Analysis
4. Historical context
5. Conclusion
1. Reading and preparation
You have to read the text carefully, underlining key terms you consider important to understand (names,
dates ...). We must emphasize key ideas and other primary or secondary ones (with different colour or
stroke). You can make explanations in the margin.
2. Text Classification
a) Nature of the text
By its form:
- A chronicle, if the author relates some facts objectively, which he himself witnessed sometimes of.
- An essay, if the author performs or gives his version of past events.
- A legal text: constitution, law, treaty ...
- A newspaper article.
- A manifesto, proclamation or political speech.
- An autobiographical text or memoirs.
- An historical novel or a literary text.
- A letter.
- An economic report, statistical ...
By its theme or content:
Economic, political, social, artistic ...
By its origin:
A primary source (contemporary events), or secondary (a text of an historian who wrote much later, for
example).
b) Spatial-temporal circumstances (dating)
When and where was written the text. In this sense, it is imperative to note:
- The date, if it is quoted or can be inferred from the content. Sometimes they are given two dates, one in
which you write and the date of the facts stated.
c) Author
Individual or collective, giving some biographical notes on him if known.
d) Addressee or target
Who is the target, whether public or private, for what purpose it was written.
3. Textual Analysis
It is based on subject analysis and in-depth explanation of its contents.
a) First level: summary and explanation of each of the parts of the text.
b) Second level: definition of terms, concepts, institutions ... Clarification of historical allusions and events
to which it refers.
4. Historical context
- General explanation of the historical moment at which the text relates. Mention always the text. You can
start explaining the situation that led to the text. Dont use the text as a pretext, that is, to copy information
from the book.
4. Conclusion
Explain its authenticity and accuracy, its sincerity and objectivity and its interest, ie. whether it is a
landmark document for the analysis of the historical moment which it refers to, or otherwise it has a
relative or secondary importance. It is best not to comment if you "agree or not" with a text sometimes very
distant in time or the result of circumstances different from ours. Make an assessment about the
importance of the text.