Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Source that was written or created during the time of the event it covers.

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

Information that was created by someone who was not present at the time of the event.

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

Identify the source type:

A play showing how Benjamin Franklin flew a kite during a lightning storm.

• PRIMARY

• SECONDARY

Identify the source type:

A short story describing Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla's 'electrical' battle.

• PRIMARY

• SECONDARY

Identify the source type:

Anne Frank's actual diary describing her life during World War 2.

• PRIMARY

• SECONDARY

Identify the source type:

A textbook describing the civil rights movement.

• PRIMARY

• SECONDARY

Identify the source type:

A live news report about the opening of a power plant.

• PRIMARY

• SECONDARY

Identify the source type:

A scientist explaining what it was like for Buzz Aldrin to walk on the moon.

• PRIMARY

• SECONDARY

Identify the source type:

A YouTube video describing how the pyramids were built.

• PRIMARY

• SECONDARY

Identify the source type:

An interview with Alexander Graham Bell about how he invented the telephone.

• PRIMARY

• SECONDARY