Guide to Primary and Secondary Sources

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing key concepts about primary and secondary sources.

Primary Source

An original piece of evidence from the past, created at the time of the event or by someone who experienced it; examples include diaries, letters, speeches, photographs, government records, artifacts, maps, and newspapers from the time.

Secondary Source

A source created after the event, usually by someone not there; interprets, analyzes, or summarizes primary sources; examples include textbooks, documentaries, encyclopedias, history websites, and journal articles; Think: 'Second-hand story.'

Date of Creation

The time when a source was produced; helps distinguish primary (present at the event) from secondary (created later).

Author’s Perspective

Whether the author is an eyewitness (primary) or a historian (secondary) and how that perspective influences the content.

Purpose

The intended function of the source—recording events (primary) vs explaining or analyzing them (secondary).

P = Primary = Present

Primary sources are created when the event is present.

S = Secondary = Second-hand

Secondary sources are written later by someone not there.

First is Primary, Second is Secondary

Primary is the first evidence; Secondary is the second look.

Primary = Photo; Secondary = Summary

Easy way to remember some Examples of Primary sources and secondary sources