O.P.V.L.

Historical Analysis in the IB can be scary!

Just remember OPVL!

"When considering OPVL for your sources of evidence, think about what type of source you are evaluating. A WWII-era fork and spoon are very different than a letter written home by a WWII soldier. Both sources are valid but you'll have to consider different questions for OPVL."
~Mr. Hyer 

Origin

– In one or two sentences state the origins of the source.

• What type of document is it?

 

• When and where was it produced?

 

• Who produced it?

Example Sentence:

 

Template:

 

This origin of this source is a _____________ that was written by ____________in ____________in___________.  Its purpose was to _______________ so _____________. A value of this is that it __________________. However, a limitation of the source is that it ___________________.

 

Filled in template:

 

The origin of the source is a letter that was written by Thomas Jefferson in 1787 in Virginia. Its purpose was to convince George Washington to veto the National Treasury so there would be no central bank. A value of this document is that it shows how the anti-Federalists were feeling about Alexander Hamilton's idea for a National Treasury. However, a limitation of the source is that it only shows Thomas Jeffereson's perspective and not the view of the other side.

Purpose

– In one or two sentences state the purpose of the source.

 

The purpose of the source…

 

• Who was the intended audience?

 

• For what purposes was it written?

Key Words to possibly use here:

 

Persuade

Inform

Debate
Convince

Detail

Outline

Communicate

Describe

Entice

Sell

Rally

 

 

 

 

Value

– In one or two well-written paragraph(s) explain the value of the document for

historians. Provide and explain specific evidence from the document to support your

answers. A minimum of two values must be proven.

With reference to the origin and purpose, what is the value of the document for
historians studying this event?

 

Example:

This document is valuable because it was written ______________________ and the author was ____________________.  This shows that ____________________.

 

 

Key Words to possibly use here:

Bias

Propaganda

Written at the time of the events

Historical Perspective

Advertisement

Campaign

Letter

Memoir

Private Writing

Public Writing

 

Limitations

– In one or two well-written paragraph(s) explain the limitations of the

document. Remember to make specific references to the document in your response.

A minimum of two limitations must be proven.

With reference to the origin and purpose, what are the limitations of the

document for historians studying this event?

Because this document was written by _______________ in ________________, it has a limitation of ___________________.

Key Words to possibly use here:

Bias

Propaganda

Written at the time of the events

Historical Perspective

Advertisement

Campaign

Letter

Memoir

Private Writing

Public Writing

 Helpful links:
OPVL Definitions
OPVL List of Types of Sources with Vs and Ls
OPVL with Grading Rubric