1. Primary and Secondary Sources
Murphy, Bruce Allen. "Constitution of the United States." World Book Advanced. World Book, Web.  29 Oct
Eighth Grade History Textbook

2. What are Primary Sources?
They are actual records that have survived from the past. They come in many formats. They can be artifacts, diaries, video footage, letters, photos, letters.

3. Primary Source Examples
Autobiographies
Diaries
Documents
Eyewitness accounts
Film footage
Laws
Letters
Video recordings of actual event
Minutes to meetings
messages
Blog postings
Coins
Novels
Objects from the time
Photographs
Poems, art, music
Speeches
Interviews
Manuscripts
Newspaper articles written at the time of event
Maps
Podcasts
Voice mail messages
Paintings

4. Does a Primary Source have to be the original material?
NO! It can be in another form like a copy of original document. But, it can NOT be edited or interpreted in any way.

5. Why should you use Primary Sources when researching an event?
Primary sources enable the researcher, that’s YOU, to get as close as possible to what actually happened during a historical event or time period.
Time and Place Rule: The closer in time and place a source and its creator were to the event, the more authentic and reliable the source.

6. What is a Secondary Source?
A Secondary Source is an informational source that analyzes or interprets a historical event. These are accounts of the past created by people writing about events sometime after they happened.

7. Secondary Source Examples
History Textbooks
Encyclopedias both print and online formats
Biographies
Reference books
Non-fiction books on a historical event
Editorials
Journal articles

8. Are Secondary Sources useful?
Yes!
Secondary Sources provide the necessary background information on a historical event.
For Example: Once you’ve read in your history textbook (secondary source) about the Boston Massacre of 1770, you then may want to read for yourself, John Tudor’s first hand eyewitness account of this event taken from his diary (primary source).

9. Questions to ask yourself when determining if the information source is Primary or Secondary
Who wrote this?
Did the recorder witness or experience the event?
Why did they write it?
Did the writer wish to inform or persuade others?
Who did they write it for?
When did they write it?

10. Is this a Primary or Secondary Source?
Constitution of United States of America
Murphy, Bruce Allen. "Constitution of the United States." World Book Advanced. World Book, Web.  29 Oct

11. Is this a Primary or Secondary Source?
Eighth Grade History Textbook

12. Is this a Primary or Secondary Source?
Autobiography of Anne Frank

13. Is this a Primary or Secondary Source?
Picture of Martin Luther King Jr. during the Selma march
Garrow, David J. "King, Martin Luther, Jr." World Book Advanced. World Book, Web.  29 Oct

14. Where can I find Primary Sources?
World Book Online (a Secondary Source) has a link to Primary Sources

15. Primary Source: National Archives
National Archive Site

16. Primary Source: Our Documents Web Site

17. Where can I find Primary Source artifacts?
Museums
Exhibits
Smithsonian
Library of Congress

18. Created by Mrs. Petroccia
Media Specialist
Independence Middle