Primary vs. Secondary

Primary and Secondary Sources

What is going on in this

What questions does it raise?

What does it tell us about this time period?

Different Types of Sources 

There are two different types of sources  

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Primary- evidence from a time period or event Secondary- someone else’s interpretation of a time period or event. Direct Source- First Hand account Indirect Source- Second Hand information

What is a Primary Source? An informational source from the time of an event        

Autobiographies Diaries Documents Eyewitness accounts Laws Letters Newspaper articles Speeches

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Artifacts Oral histories Photographs Film footage Art Music

Why do we use primary sources?

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It’s hard evidence from the time period, not information that has been passed through the telephone game of telling and retelling history. Only your interpretation

Does a Primary Source have to be the original material? No – it can be in another form, but it can’t be edited or interpreted in any way. For example, A picture of King Tut’s coffin printed in a book or posted on a website can be considered a primary source.

Questions to ask yourself when looking at Primary Sources  

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Who wrote (or made) this? How do they know the information they are telling me? When did they write/ make it? Why did they write/ make it? Who did they write/ make it for?

What are Secondary Sources? An informational source that analyzes the event.  These sources often use several primary sources to compile their information.  This is someone else’s interpretation of an event, not a first person account.  Examples    

Biographies Encyclopedias History books Textbooks

Are Secondary Sources useful? Yes – They provide the necessary background or context to be able to interpret Primary Sources. For example, World Book 2005 or your Social Studies textbook can provide background information about the events leading up to the Trojan War.

Name that Source

Primary vs. Secondary

Primary or Secondary? 

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A copy of the USA Constitution, printed in an 8th grade text book.

Questions to ask:  When was it created?

Primary or Secondary? 

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A drawing of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Questions to ask:  Was the artist actually present at this event?

Primary or Secondary? 

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Encyclopedia article about the first Emperor of China.

Questions to ask:  Were the authors involved in the events they are writing about?

Primary or Secondary? 

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Homer’s Iliad, an epic poem about the men and women of the Trojan War.

Questions to ask:  When was the Iliad written?  

At the time of the War? Years after the War ended?

Primary or Secondary? Photos of the Terracotta Soldiers from a website. Questions to ask:  When were they made? 

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During the time period or event? After the time period or event?

Primary or Secondary? 

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A journal written by an artist who made the terracotta soldiers.

Questions to ask:  When was it written?  Was the person who wrote it actually involved in the event?  Did the author get his/her information for someone else who was involved in the event?

Primary or Secondary? 

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Artifacts from the tomb of King Tut.

Questions to ask:  When were they made?  Who made them?

Primary or Secondary? 

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Troy, a movie about the Trojan War starring Brad Pit.

Questions to Ask:  What was the author’s purpose: 

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Was this a documentary based on historical research? Was this a film produced by Hollywood for entertainment purposes?

What do you think? 

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Artifacts from the tomb of King Tut.

What do you think? 

Photo of the Terracotta Soldiers from a website.

What do you think? 

QuickTime™ and a decompressor are needed to see this picture.

The USA Constitution