Differentiating Primary and Secondary Sources in History

The video tutorial explains the importance of historical sources in studying the past. It distinguishes between primary and secondary sources, detailing their differences and types. Primary sources are created during the historical period being studied, while secondary sources are created after. The video provides examples, such as documents and artifacts, and discusses their reliability. It concludes with examples from Pompeii and offers resources for further learning.

What is a historical source?

• A source that provides fictional stories.

• A source that provides information about science.

• A source that provides information about the future.

• A source that provides information about the historical topic you are studying.

What is the main difference between a primary and a secondary source?

• The language in which they are written.

• The time period in which they were created.

• The number of pages they have.

• The type of material they are made of.

Which of the following is an example of a primary source?

• A history textbook written in 2020.

• A letter written by a soldier during World War I.

• A documentary about the American Revolution.

• A website about ancient Rome.

What type of primary source is a diary?

• Unpublished document

• Visual document

• Published document

• Artifact

Which of the following is NOT a type of primary source?

• Photographs

• Paintings

• Academic journal articles

• Artifacts

What should you keep in mind when reading published documents?

• They are always written by historians.

• They are always accurate.

• They are always reliable.

• They are not necessarily accurate or reliable.

Which type of secondary source is considered to be of high quality due to extensive research?

• Academic journal articles

• Newspapers

• Websites

• Magazines

Why should you be critical of websites found through a basic Google search?

• They are always reliable.

• They are always accurate.

• They are always written by experts.

• They vary widely in accuracy, reliability, and relevance.

Who wrote a letter about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius to his friend Tacitus?

• Cassius Dio

• Augustus

• Julius Caesar

• Pliny the Younger

What type of source are the archaeological remains of Pompeii?

• Unpublished document

• Published document

• Primary source

• Secondary source