Understanding Sources of Information

What is a primary source?

• A primary source is a fictional (not real) account created for entertainment.

• A primary source is an original document or record that provides direct evidence or firsthand information from the time/event

• A primary source is a summary of events from someone who heard about the time/event.

• A primary source is a collection of opinions of different people about the time/event

Which of the following is most likely a secondary source?

• Painting

• Textbook

• Documentary film

• Interview transcript

How can you tell the difference between a primary and a secondary source?

• Primary sources are summaries of existing research.

• Primary sources are always published works.

• Primary sources are original materials; secondary sources analyze, interpret or explain primary sources.

• Secondary sources are firsthand accounts of events.

Give an example of a primary source.

• A documentary film about a historical period.

• A textbook summarizing historical events.

• A diary written by a historical figure.

• An article analyzing a historical event.

What is an example of a secondary source?

• A newspaper article

• A history book

• A diary entry

• An interview transcript

Why is it important to evaluate sources?

• It is important to evaluate sources to ensure credibility and accuracy of information.

• To support personal biases without questioning.

• To find the most entertaining information.

• To gather as many sources as possible regardless of quality.

Why might a historian prefer to use primary sources?

• Secondary sources provide more detailed analysis.

• Primary sources are often biased and unreliable.

• Primary sources are harder to access than secondary sources.

• Primary sources offer direct evidence and firsthand accounts of historical events.