Document Analysis: The 5W and the 5W+H

5W and 5W+H are acronyms that refer to the questions you should ask yourself. When you use the 5W, you’re asking yourself the questions: “who?”, “what?”, “when?”, “where?” and “why?”. The 5 W+H repeat the same questions but also include the question: “how?”.

Whether you are using the 5W method or the 5W+H method, remember that not all documents have all of these components. Some documents do not include the “why?” or the “how?”, while others don’t mention the “when?” or even the “where?”.

In some types of documents–especially primary sources such as speeches–it is more helpful to identify the author of the document than the subject of the document.

In the case of secondary source documents, it is not always relevant to identify the author of the document. So we should focus on who we’re talking about.

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The subject of a document can be an historical figure, culture, economy, politics, territory, society, etc.

“Great Britain’s economy was flourishing at the beginning of the 18th century. Its textile industry dominated the European market and its merchant fleet criss-crossed the world's seas. British colonies on three continents offered an almost inexhaustible supply of resources and profit, providing both valuable raw materials, such as Indian cotton, and a vast market for manufactured goods.”

Laville, C.(2008). From Yesterday to Tomorrow. Les Éditions de la Chenelière.

In order to find the “what?” in this example, you can start by identifying the subject addressed by the document. There are a number of clues that can guide you. The topics of the document are Britain’s economy, the textile industry, raw materials, and manufacturing goods or merchandise. All of these are related to the economic aspect.

Since the document deals with economic aspects, you know that the subject of the document is also related to the economy. What is being discussed in the document? The excerpt deals with the economic revolution.

There are several types of time markers.

	They can be dates, such as days, years or centuries.
	Historical periods are time spans, like Antiquity, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, etc.
	Historical events can be used to identify the “when?” in a document: the arrival of the Loyalists in Canada, or World War I.

There are other types of markers that may be useful in identifying the “when?”. Some of these are the features of daily life, such as clothing or customs. Technological advances are useful in identifying the historical period. They can include the steam machine, the mechanization of agricultural practices or even art and architecture.

“Both humanism and Renaissance thought spread rapidly. With Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press around 1440, texts no longer had to be transcribed individually by hand. Multiple copies could now be printed.”

Laville, C.(2008). From Yesterday to Tomorrow. Les Éditions de la Chenelière.

This excerpt provides two time markers that help to identify the “when?”. The first is the reference to the Renaissance which is the historical period from 1400 to 1600. But there is another marker here that can help you identify the “when?” more precisely: the invention of the printing press, which the source dates back to 1440.

You don’t always need to be so precise in identifying the “when?”. However, the more precise you are with time intervals, the more this will help you understand the document.

A good way to identify the “when?” in a document is to check the source reference. This is especially true with primary sources.

Nonetheless, the date of the source reference does not always match the period in which the events or facts discussed in the document occurred. This is true for all secondary sources.

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Geographic markers, in other words, the “where?” in a document, often provide clues to the “when?”.

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“Mesopotamians believed that their gods had supernatural powers and were immortal. But in other ways, these gods behaved like human beings: they drank, ate, played, got married, fought, etc. The only things that made them different from men and women were their supernatural powers and their immortality.”

Laville, C. (2008). From Yesterday to Tomorrow. Les Éditions de la Chenelière.

The “where?” in this excerpt is found in the text. In addition, the “where?” and the “when?” can be identified using the same marker. Mesopotamia is the "where?", since it refers to the region in the Fertile Crescent between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the Middle East. Mesopotamia is also the “when?”, since it refers to the Mesopotamian civilization, which existed from 3500 to 539 B.C.

In order to find the “why?” in a document, start by identifying the “what?”. You must find the subject of the “what?” before you can look for its causes or effects.

The Search for a Route to Asia

“Large-scale commerce was becoming more and more present. Fascinated by Asia and its riches, European nobles and merchants dreamed of spices, gold and other luxuries. Their interest was also stimulated by numerous accounts of foreign travel [...] However, when the Turks captured Constantinople, Europeans were forced to find new routes to Asia.”

Laville, C. (2008). From Yesterday to Tomorrow. Les Éditions de la Chenelière.

The first step you should take to find the “why?” in this excerpt is to identify the “what?” What is the text discussing? It is discussing the European countries’ search for a new sea route to Asia.

In order to find the “why?”, ask yourself the following question: “Why were European countries seeking a new route to Asia?”. They were seeking a new route because Asia had abundant spices and precious metals, and because trade with this region of the world was very profitable.

It may take you a little more time to apply this method than the 5W, since identifying the “how?” sometimes requires more research.

You may also have to use your prior knowledge to answer the “how?”.

“The Seven Years. War cost Great Britain a huge amount in military expenses. By the end of the conflict, the mother country was in major financial trouble. It decided to impose a series of taxes on the Thirteen Colonies to help pay off some of its debt.”

Laville, C.(2008). From Yesterday to Tomorrow. Les Éditions de la Chenelière.

The first step to be completed in order to find the “how?” in this excerpt is to identify the “what?” What is the text discussing? It is discussing the fact that Great Britain was trying to refill its coffers, which were almost empty after the Seven Years’ War.

You can then ask yourself the following question: “How did Great Britain pay its debts?” It imposed new taxes on the British colonies.

Even if the “why?” is not mentioned in the previous document, it can be deduced using what you already know.

However, remember that we may not find the answers to all of the questions in a single document.

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