Directions: A critical commentary is a short essay that introduces a historical document. It provides basic information about what the document is, what cultural and historical context influenced its author in creating it, and why you—the historian—believe it was important, convincing, effective, or ineffective. Your commentary will be evaluated on your selection of direct evidence, creativity of interpretation, depth of historical context, and clarity of language.
For each critical commentary, you will write about a primary source document, you will be doing it on http://www.americanyawp.com/reader/17-conquering-the-west/helen-hunt-jackson-on-a-century-of-dishonor-1881/
If you’re having trouble figuring out where to start, the questions and prompts on this historical thinking chart
Rubric