Primary vs Secondary Sources

What is a primary source?

• Texts, artifacts, or information that is directly from a specific time period or culture

• Texts, artifacts, or information that comes from textbooks

• Information in fiction books

What is a secondary source?

• A text or document that records important information

• A text or document that records information from another source

• A text or document recording important information

Which is not a primary source?

• A photograph

• An autobiography

• A textbook

• A letter

Which is not a primary source?

• A piece of art

• A spear from 200 B.C.

• A stone shelter from the Stone Age

• An article talking about the Stone Age

Which is not a secondary source?

• A textbook

• A book

• A book review

• A movie review

Which is not a secondary source?

• A newspaper giving information on last night's baseball game

• A portrait of Barack Obama

• A biography on Barack Obama's life

• A magazine article talking about Barack Obama

What type of source is this?

The Diary of Ann Frank

• Primary

• Secondary

What type of source is this?

A textbook called "Ancient Civilizations"

• Primary

• Secondary

What type of source is this?

A painting called "The Mona Lisa"

• Primary

• Secondary

What type of source is this?

A pyramid in South America

• Primary

• Secondary