A primary source is a firsthand account of something that happened. A primary source is a document or object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event.

Examples: A speech, a photograph, an essay, an original document, a quote, a letter (a photocopy or reproduction of documents like the Gettysburg Address is still considered a primary source as long as the document has not been altered) Gettysburg Address

Original GI (soldier) letters from WW II Letters from a certain time period

Photograph of women working on military equipment during WW II Photographs from a certain time period (original or unaltered copy)

Diary (personal account or journal)

Bias in primary source Bias - cause to feel or show inclination or prejudice for or against someone or something. For example: Bias may be evident when witnessing an event. You may be prejudging or witnessing the event from your point of view (literally and figuratively)

A Secondary source is a secondhand account of something; or someone's interpretation of events without actually being there. textbook

interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them.

Examples:  PUBLICATIONS: Textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopedias  A journal/magazine article which interprets or reviews previous findings  A history textbook  A book about the effects of WWI Although Ken Burns' book has many primary sources in it, he and the editor were not alive during the Civil War. This book is a secondary source because they are analyzing and making commentaries about their findings