Primary and Secondary Sources

Which of the following is not considered a primary source?

• a diary entry

• a biography

• a letter

• a photograph

Which of the following is not considered a secondary source?

• an encyclopedia entry

• a textbook

• a magazine article

• an interview

A primary source is created by someone who

• read about an event

• made up an event from their imagination

• was present at an event

• heard about an event from a witness

The lyric “We know what it was like for Jane / ’Cause her interpretation comes from her brain” most likely describes a ________ source.

• primary

• secondary

Which of these is a secondary source?

• I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

• The Story of My Life by Helen Keller

• John Adams by David McCullough

• The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X

Which of these is a primary source?

• a rap song about Harriet Tubman

• a photograph of Harriet Tubman

• an essay about Harriet Tubman

• a documentary film about Harriet Tubman

Which type of source can include the author’s personal opinions or bias?

• primary sources

• secondary sources

• both

• neither

True or False: Secondary sources often draw from one or more primary sources.

• True

• False