Primary and Secondary Sources
What is a primary source?
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. Some types of primary sources include:
· 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
What is a secondary source?
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, and 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 or any other events
1
Name:
Date:
Document Analysis Worksheet
1. Title of the document:
2. Date(s) the document was originally produced:
3. Author of this document:
4. Type of document:
5. Is this a primary source or a secondary source?
6. Who is the audience or intended recipient of the document? Be specific.
7. Why do you think this document was written? Be specific. Write in your own words.
8. List three things the author/document said that you think are important. Be specific.
Write in your own words.
9. List two things the document tells you about life in the United States at the time the
document was written (if a primary source) or the time described in the document (if a secondary source). Be specific. Write in your own words.
10. Write a question to the author that is left unanswered by the document. Be specific. Write
in your own words.
� Adapted from a document created by the Education Staff, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC 20408.
.
Primary and Secondary SourcesWhat is a primary source A pri.docx
1. Primary and Secondary Sources
What is a primary source?
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. Some types of primary sources
include:
· 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
What is a secondary source?
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
2. primary sources in them. Some types of secondary sources
include:
· PUBLICATIONS: textbooks, magazine articles, histories,
criticisms, commentaries, and 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 or any other events
1
Name:
Date:
Document Analysis Worksheet
1. Title of the document:
2. Date(s) the document was originally produced:
3. Author of this document:
4. Type of document:
5. Is this a primary source or a secondary source?
6. Who is the audience or intended recipient of the document?
Be specific.
7. Why do you think this document was written? Be specific.
Write in your own words.
8. List three things the author/document said that you think are
important. Be specific.
Write in your own words.
9. List two things the document tells you about life in the
United States at the time the
3. document was written (if a primary source) or the time
described in the document (if a secondary source). Be specific.
Write in your own words.
10. Write a question to the author that is left unanswered by the
document. Be specific. Write
in your own words.
� Adapted from a document created by the Education Staff,
National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC
20408.
