Salem Witch Trials Website Analysis

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Content:

The Salem Witch Trials is a website which was created and maintained by Douglas O. Linder of the University of Missouri- Kansas City (UMKC) School of Law. This website is only one part of a larger project which focuses on famous trials that date back to 399 B.C (The Trials of Socrates). This website is an archive, however, it still aims to be a teaching resource by providing educational games such as “You’re Accused” and “Salem Witchcraft Jeopardy.” Linder works to create an accurate description of the Salem Witch Trials by using a variety of books, periodicals, videos, and online resources to provide readers with current, up- to- date information.

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Douglas O. Linder’s greatest strength in his entire Famous Trials database is his uniformity. The website is clear and to the point, the information is easily navigable and understandable, but there is no organized breakdown of material. The titles of each sections helps a user narrow down the information whether it be “Arrest Warrants,” “Death Warrants,” or the “Bibliography.” The website functions effectively for Linder’s purpose- it is educational and textbook-based, it is filled with primary source …show more content…

The information is readable, each tab of information is clear and concise. The information is understandable with no analysis, much like a textbook. Douglas O. Linder includes educational games titled, “You’re Accused” and “Salem Witchcraft Jeopardy. “You’re Accused” is a game where the user forced to make choices in the place of an accused witch. “Salem Witchcraft Jeopardy” has the same concept as jeopardy, however, the questions are based on the trials. Lastly, there is a toolbar titled “Teaching Tools” with options such as “Causes,” “Why it Ended,” and “Lessons” to help address the information on the website. These three teacher friendly options will serve the need of the audience (teachers and