Understanding Primary and Secondary Sources

When historians look at
documents in order to
understand history, they
often divide these
documents into categories,
including primary and
secondary sources.

One category includes
material produced by
individuals who lived
through an event…
and the other includes material produced
from individuals after an event happened.

Definition

A primary source is a
document or object
created by someone who
was involved in or
witnessed an event.
(Original Documents, Creative Works, Relics or Artifacts)

Characteristics

The creator of the
document or object

witnessed, participated, or
lived during the time of
the event. (First-Hand)

●photographs

●Audio & video recordings

●journals & diaries

●letters

●speeches

• books and content published at
  the time

●government records

●artifacts (clothing, costumes,
furniture)

●autobiographies and memoirs

●interviews with a primary
source

Definition

A secondary source is an opinion, account, or interpretation of a past events by someone was wasn't there.

Characteristics

Interpretations of
information written
after the event; Offers
a review or a critique

Examples

• Biographies

• Encyclopedias

• Textbooks

• Documentaries

• Newspaper and magazine written after the event

Things to Consider

Who Wrote or created this?

When?

Why?

Is it trustworthy
(reliable)?