1. Primary and Secondary Sources
Historical Sources
Primary and Secondary Sources

2. Primary Source Definition: Original materials
From the time period involved
Unfiltered and unchanged through interpretation or evaluation

3. Primary Source Examples: Artifacts Audio recordings Diaries Interviews
Letters
Newspaper articles written at the time
Original documents
Photographs
Government documents
Court decisions
Speeches

4. Secondary Source Definition:
Accounts written after the fact with the benefit of hindsight.
Interpretations and evaluations of primary sources.

5. Secondary Source Examples: Biographies Journal articles Encyclopedias
Textbooks
Magazine and newspaper articles
Many websites

6. Reading Primary Sources Ask Yourself:
Who is the author?
When was the source written/published?
Who was the intended audience?
What was the message/purpose of the source?