vs.

The purpose of this activity is to determine what a primary source is and what a secondary source is, as well providing examples of each.

Here is a great introduction to primary and secondary sources!

What is a primary source?

A primary source is a document written during the time under study or any physical object which was created during this time. Usually these sources were present during an experience or time period and offer insight into a particular event.

Types of Primary Sources

• Original Documents: those capturing exact words or accounts of people, events, places, or times.

• Creative Works: usually different forms of art, such as poetry, music, and paintings.

• Relics or Artifacts: these are pieces of physical evidence that give historians some insight into the past.

• Primary Sources can be classified into more than one of each category.

Examples of Primary Sources

• Letters• Diaries• Autobiographies• Interview• Court records• Propaganda posters

and ads• Newspaper articles

• Maps• Clothing• Novels• Poetry• Plays• Music• Just about anything

from the timeframe in question!

More Examples!

What is a Secondary Source?

A secondary source analyzes, describes, and tries to make sense of primary sources. These may have pictures, quotes, or graphics of primary sources.

Examples of Secondary Sources

• Textbooks• Magazine articles• Journal articles• Critical reviews• Commentaries• Encyclopedias• Books about a time period or event• Articles or books that analyze primary sources

Assignment

• Now after discovering exactly what a primary source is, read the document that you were given.

• After reading it complete the questions on the worksheet and come up with some questions of your own for class discussion.– They must be open ended (not yes/no answers)– Thought provoking