Transcript Slide 1

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 Peerreviewed Journals
Biases (Opinions) and Audience
• When someone has a
• A book written for a 12
strong opinion it makes
year old is written
a source less reliable
differently than a
graduate level book
• Some Primary and
Secondary Sources have • Books with References
strong Biases which
and Bibliographies are
make them less credible
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.
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: Book written
about Bill of Rights
Secondary: Clip Art to
Represent Turkey (mass
produced)
Primary: Bill of Rights.
Original Document
Primary: Original Art Work
Book written about Bill of
Rights