Interpreting manuscripts is an intellectual process in which you select, gather, and reassemble information and evidence within the framework of your own ideas. It is also a creative process that requires your imagination. Imagination allows you to see connections between people, places, events, and ideas, and also to empathize with people in the past.

Interpretation is an internal activity that relies on your personal understanding of the manuscript materials. There is no step-by-step process or rulebook that dictates how you are to interpret these materials. However, with time and experience, you will develop the skills needed to understand and synthesize the information you find in manuscripts.

In this section, we will summarize some key concepts and recommend ways to approach the materials as you begin the process of interpretation.