Which elements are part of a primary source analysis framework?

• A. Author, date, language, format
• B. Audience, publisher, price, edition
• C. Author, purpose, audience, bias
• D. Tone, theme, setting, plot

Answer: (C)

Evaluating a primary source relies on understanding who created it, why it was produced, who it was meant for, and what biases might be present. The author reveals the perspective, authority, and potential motive behind the source. The purpose shows the intended outcome—whether to inform, persuade, justify, or advocate—shaping how information is presented. The audience indicates for whom the source was written and helps explain choices in tone and detail. Identifying bias helps you account for partiality and compare the source with others. The other options mix metadata or literary analysis elements that don’t directly address the source’s origin, purpose, audience, and bias, so they don’t serve as the core framework for primary-source analysis.