​The Why
When analyzing a source, it is important to realize that every source was made for a particular reason. Usually, knowing the purpose for its creation will help you evaluate its relevance and reliability to your argument.

• ​Why or for what reason was the document produced at this time
• What was the author's main goal in producing this document?
  

Based upon what you know about the creator and the intended audience, you can usually identify why the source was originally made. It can also be helpful to know what motivated the creator at a particular point in time.