Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Unit 1Ms. Hunt

RMS IB Middle School

Let’s think about this…•How do you normally conduct research? What sources do you use and where do you find those resources?•How do you think people researched before the internet?•What do you think historians and archeologists use to gather information?•What might make a source better than others?

Primary Sources are…Original, firsthand accounts of historical incidents

Usually written/created by someone who was either involved in or witnessed the historical event.

• Examples of Primary Sources are:– Letters– Diaries– Speeches– Interviews

– Autobiographies– Maps– Photos

– Newspaper articles– Treaties

– Government documents– What are some other examples you can think of?

*Write 4 of the above as examples in your notes!

Secondary Sources…

Offer interpretations or analysis of the primary source material.

They are secondhand accounts of historical events.

Examples of Secondary Sources:

• Textbooks• Reports• Articles

• Biographies• Books

• Commentaries• Magazines• Encyclopedias• Editorials

*Write 4 of the above as examples in your notes!

Evaluation of a Resource

• How do I know if a resource is a primary or secondary sources? Ask the following:– How does the author know these details?– Was the author present at the event?– Where does the information come from?

Eyewitness account? Personal experience? Reports written by another person?

Primary or Secondary?

• Look at the following resources. Determine if they are Primary or Secondary resources.

1.

2.3.

4.

5.

Primary and Secondary Sources• Glue the primary and the secondary source in your IN.• Underline anything in the first source that helps you

determine that it is a primary source.• Underline anything in the second source that helps you

determine that it is a secondary source.• Answer the following questions for each document:– How does the author know these details?– Was the author present at the event?– Where does the information come from? Eyewitness

account? Personal experience? Reports written by another person?

TURN IT IN! Activity

• Now it’s your turn to create primary and secondary sources.

• Write an account of something that happened to you. This account should be historically accurate and at least two paragraphs.

• Now, write two paragraphs about an historic event. It can be anything. This is not a personal account. It should be something that you have learned about history. Be sure to give your reader clues that this is a secondary source.