Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Which definition matches "primary source"?

• a document or written work created after an event

• firsthand evidence of an event in history

You are studying World War II. Your great grandfather fought in the war and allowed you to interview him for your class. Would he be a primary source or secondary source?

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

The Diary of Anne Frank is a published book that is based entirely off of Anne Frank's diary that she kept while hiding with her family from Nazi's.

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

You have questions in science class to answer using your textbook. Is your textbook a primary source or secondary source?

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

The musical Hamilton is based on the life of U.S. Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton, who passed away in 1804.

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

A letter a man wrote to his wife from the front line of the Civil War described to her all of the fighting he had witnessed and experienced. Would this be a primary or secondary source?

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

Footage was taken right as a plane struck one of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. Is that footage a primary source or secondary source?

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

Your English teacher asks you to read a Newsela article about the life of William Shakespeare, who died in 1616. Would that be a primary or secondary source?

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

You want to know what life was like in the United States during the 1970's. So watch a few episodes of That 70's Show, a sitcom from the 1990's. Is that a primary source or secondary source?

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

A newspaper ran a political cartoon during the last Presidential election, making fun of both candidates. Is that political cartoon a primary or secondary source?

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source