1. Primary and Secondary Sources
Grade 8 Social Studies

2. Objective: to identify primary and secondary sources.
Essential Question: Why are Primary and Secondary Sources important to study history?
Objective: to identify primary and secondary sources.

3. Why are Primary Sources Important?
“Primary sources provide a window into the past—unfiltered access
to the record of artistic, social, scientific and political thought and achievement
during the specific period under study,
produced by people who lived during that period.” Source: US LIbrary of Congress

4. Primary Sources
•Primary sources are the original sources of information recorded at the time an event occurred.
–First-hand accounts
of events
–Data collected for scientific
studies
–Historical documents

5. Secondary Sources
Source of information prepared by an individual who is not a direct witness to an event
They are indirect sources of information
They are one-step removed from a direct primary source
For example????

6. You Decide? Primary or Secondary Source
A biography about John Adams
The Constitution of the United States
A textbook entry about Lewis and Clark
A classmate giving a report on WWII
A letter from a WWII Soldier
An eyewitness account of 9/11 in NYC
Provide support for your choices!

7. Evaluating Sources Identify the author of the source
Determine when and where the source originated
Analyze the kind of information the source provides (for example, facts opinions, only one side of the issue, etc.)

8. Evaluating Sources continued
Find other sources that support or disprove the first source
Compare sources to see if they agree
Determine whether a source is credible or able to be trusted
Consider the author’s purpose, personal beliefs and attitudes

9. What did you learn? What is a Primary Source?
Give an example
What is a secondary source?
How can we evaluate a source?
Provide 3-4 ways