AUSTRALIA - Source Analysis

How does the source type affect its reliability?

• This is a primary source that was created to be published, therefore making it less reliable.

• This is a primary source that was created to not be published, therefore making it more reliable.

What was the author’s social position or authority?

• He was the Governor of South Australia, giving him much authority.

• He was an indigenous Australian, giving him much authority.

• He did not have much authority.

 Is it likely that the author had firsthand knowledge of the subject, or is it more

likely that the author reported what others saw and heard?

• The author probably had firsthand knowledge of the subject.

• The author did not have firsthand knowledge of the subject, and would've reported what others had seen.

Does the author have a good overall view of the needs of Indigenous Australians,

or does the author have a blinkered view of the topic?

• The author has a blinkered view and clear personal interest to pursue, making this source less reliable.

• The author has a clear view and no personal interest to pursue, making this source more reliable.

How does your understanding of the author affect the reliability of the source?

• Because the author has a blinkered view and clear personal interest to pursue, making this source less reliable.

• Because the author has a clear view and no personal interest to pursue, making this source more reliable.

Was the source written close to the time at which European colonists were first

encountering Indigenous Australians, or much later?

• The source was written close to the time.

• The source was not written close to the time.

How might the date at which the source was written affect the reliability of this source?

• The source was written at the time or soon after the events, making it more reliable.

• The source was not written at the time or soon after the events, making it less reliable.

 Is there a specific purpose behind the source?

• The purpose of this source is to encourage the First Nations people to conform to the coloniser’s way of life.

• The purpose of this source is to inform the First Nations people the proper way to engage with contemporary life.

 Does this source seek to persuade or inform?

• To persuade.

• To inform.

How might the purpose of the source affect its reliability?

• As the source is made to persuade others, it makes it less reliable.

• As the source is made to inform, it makes it more reliable.