Primary vs. Secondary Resources

Primary Sources provide first hand evidence of historical events.

The authors of primary sources were actually present during the event. 

Examples of primary sources are photographs, maps, postcards, and manuscripts.

Primary Source

Secondary sources are interpretations and opinions about primary sources. 

For example, if two of your friends are having an argument in the cafeteria and you don’t see the argument.  The information your friend provides to the principal would be considered a primary source because she was present during the argument.  However, if you went to the principal to explain what you learned about the fight from other people, your explanation would be considered a secondary source. 

Textbooks are examples of secondary sources because the textbook writers were not present during the events in the book.  They can sometimes add their own opinions and interpretations of the events into the textbooks

Secondary Source

Write down, in your own words, what is a primary source.

Now, do the same for a secondary source.

Volunteers to share out?

A diary entry from Anne Frank about the Holocaust.

A biography of Harriet Tubman written by a current author.

A textbook chapter about the Great Depression.

A fossil found in the desert from the Ice Age.

Primary or Secondary?

Activity:1. Empty the contents of your plastic

baggy onto your desk. With your partner, determine which column each would would fall into.

2. Write a sentence explaining your reasoning for 5 from each column.

3. Raise your hand when you finish and I’ll come to you.

Now it’s time to test your skills…

What elements distinguish a primary source from a

secondary source? And vice versa?

Closing Question