Nonfiction Primary vs. Secondary Sources By: Stephaie Helton

Primary Source “I was there to see it.” A primary source is a document or physical 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. Some types of primary sources include: ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS: (excerpts or translations acceptable): Diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records  CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art  ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings

Secondary Source “I did not see the event myself.” A secondary source 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. Some types of seconday sources include: PUBLICATIONS: Textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopedias

How can primary and secondary sources be helpful?

They can both tell us about history. We can learn about important events in history such as the American Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War II, September 11, 2001,the election of President Barrack Obama. What do you know about the American Civil War? Create a T-chart in your writer’s notebook. On one side, brainstorm with your team what you know about the civil war. You will use the other side of your t-chart a little latter.

Building Background: Civil War Watch the following video to develop a deeper understanding about about the causes and effects of the Civil War. As you watch, jot down things that you learn about the Civil War. You should have no less than 5 facts listed on this side of your t-chart when the video is over.

Building Background: Civil War Watch the following video to develop a deeper understanding about about the causes and effects of the Civil War. As you watch, jot down things that you learn about the Civil War. You should have no less than 5 facts listed on this side of your t-chart when the video is over. Students will watch a 15 minute United Streaming video titled Civil War to build foundational knowledge of the Civil War. This will allow students to have a deeper understanding of the two types of sources later in the lesson.

What did you learn? Why was the war fought? Who fought in the war? Who won the war? What were some major battles of the war? Who was president during this time? How could you learn more about the Civil War

Primary Sources There are hundreds of documents such as dairies and letters that have been saved from this time period and tell us what life was like both on the front-line and back home. Click on the following website to see diary entries and letters home from soldiers who fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. http://www2.smumn.edu/deptpages/~history/civil_war/companyk2.htm What did you learn from reading these primary sources?

The Gettysburg Address Listen to President Abraham Lincoln’s address to the families and survivors of the Battle of Gettysburg. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4bM9geY0do What did you learn from this short speech? How did it make you feel? What were you able to picture?

Secondary Sources Learn more about the Battle of Gettysburg for the article at your table. What did you learn from this article? How did this article make you feel? How was it different from the diary entries, letters home, and Abe Lincoln’s Gettysburg address? Which sources did you like the best? Why? Be sure to discuss how primary sources make you feel as though you are re-living the event. They are often for emotional and detailed. They are more human-like. Secondary sources typically foster little emotion and stick purely to facts.

Time to Reflect… How are primary and secondary sources different? How are they similar? How is the focus of information different in each type of source?