1. Get out some paper
Copy the following questions and answers into your notes

2. Historical Thinking & Skills; Historical Documents
Primary & secondary sources

3. 1. Describe primary/secondary sources
First-hand accounts
Physical remains and artifacts
Geographic/visual records
Written testimony/diaries/letters
Oral records
Secondary
A written account made by someone who has analyzed primary sources and other secondary sources
A secondary source is an interpretation

4. Is the following a primary or secondary source?

5. Is the following a primary or secondary source?

6. Is the following a primary or secondary source?

7. Is the following a primary or secondary source?

8. Is the following a primary or secondary source?

9. Is the following a primary or secondary source?

10. 2. advantages/disadvantages to primary sources
Lots of details BUT sometimes loses the “big picture”
Usually has feelings and emotions BUT may not always be objective
Eyewitness accounts BUT usually only a narrow or single perspective
At the time of the event BUT does not always have time for reflection
Personal account BUT does not always recognize other sources

11. 3. advantages/disadvantages to secondary sources
After the fact, time for reflection BUT something may be forgotten
Objective, broad perspective BUT no real participation by historian
Familiarity with and use of other sources BUT no personal involvement
Usually a focus on the big picture BUT often lacking some details

12. 4. Identify 4 similarities between primary & secondary sources
Both can be written sources
Both are based on the perspective, experiences and knowledge, etc. of the person making the account
Both are selective
Both provide information which needs to be evaluated

13. 5. Identify 4 questions one must ask when evaluating a source
Is the source valid?
Do the biases in the source make it invalid?
Are there contradictions or inconsistencies in the source?
Is the source mostly FACT or OPINION?

14. 6. Identify 4 things to check for a source’s credibility…
Identify fact or opinion in the source
Internal checks: Look for contradictions and inconsistencies
External checks: Check other sources
Overall credibility

15. The following 2 questions are actual AIR Test questions from a previous year’s American History AIR Test (you do not need to copy these down)

16. What source of information about candidates for public office probably would be free of bias?
a.) a pamphlet written by a political campaign worker b.) a newspaper editorial stating the newspaper’s position c.) a reprint of the complete text of the last candidate debate d.) a political advertisement paid for by a political action committee

17. Which source has the appropriate qualifications to be a credible source of information about how a proposed tax cut would affect the U.S. national debt?
a.) a letter to the editor of the NY Times from an astrophysicist b.) a film producer of a documentary about the New Deal era c.) a recent report published by the Congressional Budget Office d.) a television advertisement sponsored by a veterans group