Source Material Primary versus Secondary

The Horses Mouth One of the ideas in Globalization is bias. Bias is leaning towards a certain point of view, rather than being objective. You have your opinions on things that are happening in the world, and your biases will come out when you are writing. Also think of a newspaper or the internet and the information that they give, can you trust the source?

Primary Source A primary source is a first hand original account of a topic based on a personal experience. Only one author comments on the information. Contains the facts from the author and the opinions they have. The author is the sole authority on the experience. May or may not be accurate. Writing can be coloured by the writer.

Examples of Primary Sources 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

How to find Primary Sources! Look for: –charters –correspondence –diaries –early works –interviews –manuscripts –oratory –pamphlets –personal narratives –sources –speeches –letters –documents

Secondary Source A second-hand account based on other sources, so the author does not have personal experience with the topic. Using quotes from others, the author will explain the research and ideas. Includes facts from various sources. Author has an observer point of view. Can look at the larger picture, significance over time, and cause and effect.

Examples of Secondary Sources A journal/magazine article which interprets or reviews previous findings A history textbook A book about the effects of WWI

Primary or Secondary? The Covenant of the League of Nations THE HIGH CONTRACTING PARTIES, In order to promote international co- operation and to achieve international peace and security by the acceptance of obligations not to resort to war by the prescription of open, just and honourable relations between nations by the firm establishment of the understandings of international law as the actual rule of conduct among Governments, and by the maintenance of justice and a scrupulous respect for all treaty obligations in the dealings of organised peoples with one another Agree to this Covenant of the League of Nations. Primary! – Taken from The Treaty of Versailles 1919

Primary or Secondary? The Tim Hortons chain was founded in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario. The chain's focus on top quality, always fresh product, value, great service and community leadership has allowed it to grow into the largest quick service restaurant chain in Canada specializing in always fresh coffee, baked goods and homestyle lunches. The first Tim Hortons stores offered only two products - coffee and donuts. The selection of donuts to enjoy was highlighted by two original Tim Hortons creations, the Apple Fritter and the Dutchie. They became the most popular donut choices in the 60's, and remain two of the most popular today. Secondary!

Primary or Secondary? Pitchfork: Sorry to hear you've been so sick. Win Butler: I'm feeling a lot better. Not 100% yet, but I'm worlds better than I was a couple of weeks ago. I got sick around New Years. When we were rehearsing for the first shows, the secret shows and the warm- up shows, I couldn't really sing in rehearsal because I was so sick. Pitchfork: How has the tour been going so far? Do you think the songs from the new record are more challenging to play live? WB: Last time, we played a bunch of the songs live, while we were recording-- a lot of small shows just as stuff started to take off. So I felt like we had time to figure out how the songs wanted to be played. We tried to do that this time by playing some warm-up shows. I think we're starting to figure out how to play the songs. PRIMARY! Its an interview!

What about bias? A great question. If we look at the ideas of the sources (Primary v. Secondary), the author is very key in a secondary piece of work. By looking at the author (primary) we will have an idea of his background. Hitler wrote “Mien Kamph” all his ideas on what he was going to do, nutter yes, but primary source.

Bias in Secondary You have to be really careful with this bias idea. As a writer, your job is to find pieces that support your topic, and therefore you create a bias, without even knowing it. Watch CNN and the Glen Beck show, and you will see a bias.

Fact and opinion As a researcher you will get to see a lot of information about your topics, and it is up to you to see what is a fact and what is an opinion. A fact can be proven, but an opinion is can be coloured by the authors bias.

Which is which Strawberry ice- cream is made with cream, sugar and strawberries. Strawberry ice- cream has a lot of taste. Strawberry ice- cream is the best flavour. Strawberry ice- cream has calcium. FactOpinion

The Assignment Check the assignment sheet that you have been given. The assignment will look at the ideas of bias, fact, opinion, primary sources and secondary sources.