Primary & Secondary Sources

What tools are used to uncover
history?

How can we determine what is most accurate or true in history?

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

Primary Source:
an account of an event created
during the time of the event or by
someone who took part in or
witnessed the event
Secondary Source:
materials created after an historical
event but are retelling the story,
often using primary sources

This photograph is a primary source
because it is an original document
that offers an inside look at a
particular event. It is an example of
first-hand evidence which tells a
piece of the story of Mrs. McIver’s
6th grade graduation when she was
a child.

Primary or
Secondary?

A picture of Ms. McIver with
her 5th and 6th grade (and
all-time favorite) teacher, Mac

A piece of artwork created by
Mrs. McIver’s son, Liam.

Primary or
Secondary?

The artwork created by Liam
McIver is a primary source
because it is an original
drawing. Drawings are
categorized as creative works.

Primary or Secondary?

➔

A book about the Protestant
Reformation

➔

SECONDARY

Why?

The book is an analysis of the
Protestant Reformation, based on
other primary and secondary
sources.

Why?

This is a firsthand account from
someone who experienced the event
as it happened.

Primary or Secondary?

A letter written by a sailor on Christopher
Columbus’s 1492 voyage.

➔

PRIMARY SOURCE

Primary or Secondary?

➔

A 2018 documentary about the
French Revolution

➔

SECONDARY

Why?

The documentary is a retelling and
interpretation of the events of the
French Revolution using various
historical sources.

Primary or Secondary?

➔

A textbook chapter about the causes
of WWI

➔

SECONDARY

Why?

Textbooks are secondary sources
that synthesize information from
multiple historical accounts and
perspectives.

Primary or Secondary?

➔

A Jr. Scholastic play about the
causes of the Russian Revolution

➔

SECONDARY

Why?

The play is an interpretation and
analysis of past events using various
primary and secondary sources.

Primary or Secondary?

➔

PRIMARY SOURCE

➔

A speech made by Winston
Churchill during WWII

Why?

This is a firsthand account from a
key figure during the war, delivered
at the time of the events.

Why?

This article was written during the
Vietnam War and reports on events
that were current at that time.

Primary or Secondary?

A 1969 newspaper article about the Vietnam
War protests.

➔

PRIMARY SOURCE

Primary or Secondary?

➔

A podcast episode about
the Cuban Missile Crises

➔

SECONDARY

Why?

The podcast episode reflects
on past events and provides
interpretation and analysis,
making it a secondary source.

Primary or Secondary?

➔

A photo of the Berlin Wall taken in
1989

➔

PRIMARY

Why?

The photograph captures a moment
in time, providing firsthand visual
evidence of historical events.

PRACTICE

Practice identifying more primary and
secondary sources.

​Complete and turn in the practice assignment in GC!