Length: 550-750 words

This assignment will require you to choose one of the primary sources we have read and do the following: ( see the attachement file )

1. Identification: Identify the source (who, what, where, when) and determine the author’s point of view
2. Historical Context: Place it the context of a broader historical event, trend, or issue (you don’t have to discuss them all.  One or two will do.)
3. Historical Question: Pose a question that this source might be used to answer and explain how you would use the source to answer that question.  Your question should draw a connection between the micro (your source as an individual case) and the macro (some larger historical development).  By answering it, you should be able to tell your reader something that helps them better understand the time and place in which the source was written.  Please avoid the following: (1) Counterfactual (what if…) questions, (2) Reading comprehension questions (what happened after x said …?) , (3) Moral-ethical questions (Is x a good person?)
4. Limits of the Source: Discuss limits or problems of using this source.  You might discuss the author’s background and biases or the kinds of sources he used.  Also, consider things that the source cannot tell you.

Do a search for credible information about Poor Richard’s Almanack

•  type Oxford Encyclopedia of American Literature into the search box

• You will likely get several results. Since you are searching from a remote location, look for an e-book. Click the “online access” link.

• Type into the search box “Poor Richard’s Almanack”

You may find multiple references to Poor Richard’s Almanack

Who was Richard?

What is an almanack or almanac (you may want to go through the same search process, except choose Oxford English Dictionary)?

What does the almanac have to do with farming?

What does the almanac have to do with literature and where does it fit into the different literary eras?

Write careful notes on Poor Richard’s Almanack and save for your Farm Blog or Farm Journal.

Take a look at these websites:

http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-north/walden-pond-state-reservation.html

http://m.almanac.com/content/history-old-farmers-almanac

http://www.farmersalmanac.com/about/farmers-almanac-history/