Primary Sources and Secondary Sources

Primary & Secondary
Sources

How we study history & why

Purpose & Essential Questions

● Purpose: In order to study history we need to learn how to analyze multiple

perspectives. These perspectives come

from primary & secondary sources.

● Objective: By the end of this lesson we will be able to answer the following essential

questions

○ What are the differences between primary and secondary sources?
○ How and why do historians use them?

Poll

Last year, in my U.S. History 1 class we used primary and/or secondary sources...

*Textbooks do not count.

• Often

• Occasionally

• Rarely

• Never

• I don't remember

Evaluating Reliable Sources

● When we study history we have to gather information and evidence from a variety of sources.

● It is very important to make sure we are examining reliable (accurate and trustworthy sources)

Pros of Primary Sources

● Directly produced by someone involved in or directly impacted by the event.

● Free from analysis, interpretations, or bias from individuals not directly involved in the event.

● Variety of types of sources so we can choose what types of sources to use.

Primary Sources Secondary Sources

Pros of Secondary Sources

● Provides a broader and deeper perspective of the historical event.

● Helps interpret or understand primary sources.

● Produced by experts who have studied the event in detail.

Primary Sources Secondary Sources

When to use each type of source

Primary Sources

You want to understand how the event directly impacted individuals.

You want to understand the different perspectives and opposing viewpoints about the event of those affected.

Secondary Sources

●

You want to see what others
have learned about the
event.

●

You want to read, watch, or
listen to an expert’s analysis
or interpretation of the
event.

●

You want to understand the
different perspectives and
opposing viewpoints about
the event of experts.

You want to learn about different experiences those who were involved.

On the next slide, you will explore a website
of primary sources from World War I.
Press play to listen to James Pratt’s
experience in the the trenches during the
war.

As you explore the website, think about how
you might use this primary source to
evaluate what it was like to fight in the
trenches during World War I.

Living In The Trenches - Trench Life WW1: KS2/KS3/KS4 | IWM Learning

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Open Ended

How might you use this primary source to evaluate what it was like to fight in the
trenches during World War I?

As you explore the website, think about
how you might use this secondary
source to evaluate what it was like to
fight in the trenches during World War I.

On the next slide, you will explore a
website that is a secondary source
about trench warfare during World War I.

Trench Warfare | National WWI Museum and Memorial

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Open Ended

How might you use this secondary source to evaluate what it was like to fight in the trenches during World War I?

We’re almost done!

We will now take a short quiz to see how much we have

learned about using primary and secondary sources when

learning about history!

Multiple Choice

What is the best definition of a primary source?

• A source that gives a person's opinion about the subject you're studying.

• A document or material that attempts to analyze the subject you're studying.

• A document or artifact that gives you a firsthand account from some who experienced the subject you're studying.

• A source that reviews the subject you're studying.

Multiple Choice

What is the best definition of a secondary source?

• A piece of reserch that describes, interprets, or analyzes a primary source or the subject you're studying.

• Something that just quotes a primary source.

• A document or artifact that gives you a firsthand account from some who experienced the subject you're studying.

Multiple Choice

An interview from a person who experienced an event is a:

• Primary source

• Secondary source

Multiple Choice

A book (except autobiographies and memoirs) written about a historical topic is a:

• Primary source

• Secondary source

Multiple Select

Primary sources usually

• come straight from someone directly affected by or involved in the event.

• do not come with any interpretations or analysis.

Multiple Select

Which of the following is NOT true about secondary sources?

• They can explain information found in a primary source.

• They are more accurate than primary sources.

• They are usually written by experts who have researched the subject.

Open Ended

Why is it important to make sure a source is reliable or trustworthy?

Poll

How confident do you feel in your ability to identify and explain primary and secondary sources?

• Very confident

• Somewhat confident

• Not confident