Primary and Secondary Sources

Grade 8 Social Studies

Essential Question: Why are Primary and Secondary Sources important to study history?

Objective: to identify primary and secondary sources.

Why are Primary Sources Important?

“Primary sources provide a window into the past—unfiltered access to the record of artistic, social, scientific and political thought and achievement during the specific period under study, produced by people who lived during that period.” Source: US LIbrary of Congress

Primary Sources

•Primary sources are the original sources of information recorded at the time an event occurred. –First-hand accounts of events–Data collected for scientific studies–Historical documents

Secondary Sources

Source of information prepared by an individual who is not a direct witness to an event

They are indirect sources of information They are one-step removed from a direct

primary sourceFor example????

You Decide? Primary or Secondary Source

1.A biography about John Adams2.The Constitution of the United States3. A textbook entry about Lewis and Clark4.A classmate giving a report on WWII5.A letter from a WWII Soldier6.An eyewitness account of 9/11 in NYC

Provide support for your choices!

Evaluating Sources

Identify the author of the sourceDetermine when and where the source

originatedAnalyze the kind of information the source

provides (for example, facts opinions, only one side of the issue, etc.)

Evaluating Sources continued

Find other sources that support or disprove the first source

Compare sources to see if they agreeDetermine whether a source is credible or

able to be trustedConsider the author’s purpose, personal

beliefs and attitudes

What did you learn?

What is a Primary Source? Give an exampleWhat is a secondary source?Give an exampleHow can we evaluate a source? Provide 3-4 ways