1. How can we know if our study of history is accurate?
Source Reliability
How can we know if our study of history is accurate?

2. In a sentence or two explain why you chose that source.
Source Reliability
For each topic decide which source would provide more reliable (trustworthy, accurate) information.
In a sentence or two explain why you chose that source.

3. 1. A Child’s 2nd Birthday Party
Source #1
The child retelling the story two years later.
Source #2
The child’s parent retelling the story twenty years later.
Source 2: Though it is later and many details may be lost it is likely that the event was more meaningful to the parent and that a two year old wouldn’t remember anything. Even then, getting a four year old to relay any kind of truth about the event would be nearly impossible.

4. 2. Who Marissa Has A Crush On
Source #1
13 year-old-girl
Source #2
Insanely smart college professor
1 – Though a professor is better educated and often an authority, their knowledge is limited to their field. I’m guessing he didn’t major in Maria’s love life. It is far more likely that a girl Maria’s age would know more about the topic.

5. 3. How to Feel Better When You Are Sick
Source #1
Your Grandmother
Source #2
A doctor
2 – Doctor. Grandma might have some good home remedies but a doctor is trained to handle this stuff.

6. 4. The Roman Empire Source #1
A painting made in (over 1,000 years after the end of the empire) by a European.
Source #2
A history textbook made in 2006 by a group of American historians
2 (probably) – Textbooks, while imperfect, are typically well researched. Though the textbook is later both are well over 1,000 years after the event making the relative difference in time very minor. Artists have little to no reason to present the truth in their art and instead want to present and interesting picture. There’s no proof this artist did any research whatsoever.

7. 5. Volcanoes Source #1 Wikipedia Source #2
Encyclopedia Britannica, 1941 edition
1 – Wikipedia, while imperfect, is a solid source of knowledge and information – especially with a scientific topic. Studies have proven that there are far more errors in Encyclopedia Britannica (especially in a 60+ year old edition) than on Wikipedia.

8. 6. The Arab Conquest of Africa
Source #1
Written accounts by the Arabians
Source #2
Oral accounts by the Africans
Neither/Either. The written accounts are likely biased to make the conquest seem more reasonable. The oral accounts are likely inaccurate due to how they have been passed down.

9. 7. Aztec Religion and Sacrifice
Source #1
Aztec Paintings
Source #2
Written accounts by Spanish Conquistadors
1 – While paintings are not necessarily a reliable source as seen before this one was made at the time by the people involved. It is, therefore, more likely to be accurate. The account by the conquistadors – as with the Arabs above – likely has a strong bias against the Aztecs in order to justify the conquest.

10. 8. The Declaration of Independence
Source #1
1998 Hollywood Movie
Source #2
2002 book for kids and young adults
2 – Hollywood has no responsibility to present historical truth. “Sometimes fiction can be used to tell a greater historical truth.” –Ridley Scott. A book, even one for kids, does have that responsibility.

11. 9. How Columbus Treated the Natives
Source #1
Columbus’ Presentation to Queen Isabella
Source #2
Columbus’ private journal
2 – When discussing our own actions we often exaggerate or clean them up when telling them to others, a private journal is much more likely to be honest and open.

12. 10. What Your Grandparents Wore on Their First Date
Source #1
Photo taken on the Date
Source #2
Interview with Grandma when she was 80
1 – Memories get lost over time, photos may fade but still represent what really happened. Unless, of course, they are staged like many of those taken during the Civil War.

13. Primary Vs. Secondary Sources
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.
Can you think of examples of primary sources?

14. CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art
Primary Sources
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS: Diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records 
CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art 
RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings

15. Examples of Primary Sources
The Diary of Anne Frank

16. Examples of Primary Sources
US Constitution

17. Examples of Primary Sources
Grecian Urn

18. Examples of Primary Sources
Leonardo di Vinci’s Invention Sketches

19. Primary Vs. Secondary Sources
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.
Can you think of some examples?

20. Secondary Sources
PUBLICATIONS: Textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopedias 
Examples:
A magazine article which interprets or reviews previous findings by historians
A history textbook on the United States from colonization to the Civil War
A book about the effects of WWI on European economics

21. Examples of Secondary Sources

22. Examples of Secondary Sources

23. Primary or Secondary Sources?
For each of the following scenarios, please tell me if you believe the source is a primary or a secondary resource.
Explain why you came to the conclusion you did for each!

24. Primary or Secondary Sources?
I was watching ESPN and one of the reporters said he had heard good reviews about a new sports movie. When he talks about the movie, what is he?
Secondary Resource

25. Primary or Secondary Sources?
I found a letter to one of my friends in the locker room after school the other day. I know it’s private, but I want to read it! What is the letter?
Primary Resource

26. Primary or Secondary Sources?
My friends and I found an old wedding dress in our attic. My father said it belonged to my grandmother. What is the dress?
Primary Resource

27. Primary or Secondary Sources?
At school we use textbooks to learn about the history of the United States. When we use textbooks, what are we using?
Secondary Resource

28. Primary or Secondary Sources?
I like to read People magazine. I really like the articles written by others about Hollywood actors. When I read these stories, what am I reading?
Secondary Resource

29. Primary or Secondary Sources?
My friend Tim said I should read a book that he really liked. He told me about it—it sounds really good! When Tim talks about the book, what is he?
Secondary Resource

30. Primary or Secondary Sources?
My mom has CDs of my grandparents telling stories about when they were kids. We love to listen to these at family gatherings. What are we listening to?
Primary Resource

31. Primary or Secondary Sources?
When I am doing homework for U.S. Government and I read the commentaries by Supreme Court Justices on landmark cases, what am I reading?
Primary Resource

32. Primary or Secondary Sources?
When I was at summer camp a few years ago, I found an arrowhead; I did research and found out it has been made by the Cherokee Indians. What is my arrowhead?
Primary Resource

33. Primary or Secondary Sources?
I am writing an essay on George Washington for my U.S. History class. I used articles from Wikipedia and another encyclopedia. What am I using?
Secondary Resource