Primary vs Secondary Sources

A biography about Abraham Lincoln.

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

firsthand evidence created by people who saw or experienced the event

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

Needles, spoons, fishing nets, hair pins, ink pens, stamps, coins, toys, and novels.

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

The heavy fur coats of people who live in Alaska, or the light, airy clothing of people who live in Saudi Arabia.

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

The transcript of Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" after The Battle at Gettysburg.

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

Furniture, such as chairs, tables, beds, bookshelves, and counters.

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

evidence created after an event by people who were NOT there, containing background information, opinions, or broad views of the event.

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

The Declaration of Independence

(a document written by American colonists declaring America was its own country, not a set of colonies under British rule)

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

A TV show explaining what happened in the country of Vietnam.

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

A website describing what the first World's Fair was like.

(a 'world's fair' is a global exhibition designed to showcase the achievements of nations)

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source