Primary and Secondary Sources

Common Core• L6-8RH9: Analyze the relationship between a primary and

secondary source on the same topic. • L6-8RH2: Determine the central ideas or information of a

primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

• L6-8RST2: Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinion

• L6-8RH1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources

Sources and Documents• Sources are anything you use to research a

topic, even if it is “just for fun.”• Have you ever used Google to read about

your favorite celebrity or sports team?• The pictures and articles you find are

sources• Source are ANYTHING you use. • Common examples– Books, Journal Articles, Websites, Pictures,

Newspapers, Documentaries• Less common (but still excellent!) examples– Artwork, Buildings, Diaries, Interviews, Clothes,

Novels, Videos

Everyone Uses Sources

•Everything you use to understand a topic is a source (even me!)•Sources are important because they help you understand the topic.•Some Sources are more reliable than others.•Every source has biases•Most sources are Primary or Secondary

Reliability

• Articles in reputable New sites (NPR, International Herald Tribune, BBC, The Economist, Le Monde)

• Many books are reliable, but not all

• Normally a source written by a PhD is more creditable

• Articles published in Peer-reviewed Journals

Biases (Opinions) and Audience• When someone has a

strong opinion it makes a source less reliable

• Some Primary and Secondary Sources have strong Biases which make them less credible

• A book written for a 12 year old is written differently than a graduate level book

• Books with References and Bibliographies are more credible

Primary Secondary

Happened during the event Normally happened after the event

Is original Is often mass produced

May be 5,000 years old or 5 seconds old

Writes about a time, place, person or event

Can have strong opinion, but shows sentiment of time

Can have strong opinion, but reliable sources try to incorporate alternative opinions.

What’s What?

Primary Sources A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were

present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event.

• ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (excerpts or translations acceptable): Diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records

• CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art

• RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings

Examples of primary sources include: • Diary of Anne Frank - Experiences of a

Jewish family during WWII • The Constitution of Canada - Canadian

History • A journal article reporting NEW

research or findings • Weavings and pottery - Native

American history • Plato's Republic - Women in Ancient

Greece

Secondary Sources A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps

removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them.

Some types of secondary sources include: PUBLICATIONS:

• Textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopedias

Examples of secondary sources include:

• A journal/magazine article which interprets or reviews previous findings

• A history textbook • A book about the effects of WWI

Which is better?

• Both Primary Sources or Secondary sources can be credible or biased.

• Primary will show you real examples from the time-pictures, building, interviews, documents, etc

• Secondary can give you an expert opinion, but some else is looking at facts so be careful for opinions and their conclusions!

Primary or Secondary?????

Primary: Photograph of Turkeys/ Turkeys in real life

Secondary: Clip Art to Represent Turkey (mass produced)

Primary: Original Art Work

Secondary: Book written about Bill of Rights

Primary: Bill of Rights. Original Document

Book written about Bill of Rights