Source Basics Slides
Social Studies Basics
Primary & Secondary
Sources
How do we learn about history? It all comes down to two simple types of clues.
1. Primary = Firsthand
2. Secondary = Secondhand
First Things First Slide 2 / 6
What is a "Source"?
A source is anything that gives us information about people, places, or events in the past.
Words
Letters, books, speeches, diaries, and articles
Images & Audio
Photos, paintings, voice recordings, and video clips
Physical Objects
Clothing, tools, coins, weapons, and buildings
All sources fall into one of two groups: Primary or Secondary.
Clue Type #1
Slide 3 / 6
Primary Source
"I was there!"
Created during the event by someone who lived it or saw it happen firsthand.
A Personal Diary
Written right after an event happened
A Real Photograph
Snapped on the day of the event
A Letter Home
Sent by someone living through history
An Ancient Coin or Tool
Made and used by people long ago
Key Rule: The creator had to be physically present in that moment of time!
Clue Type #2
Slide 4 / 6
Secondary Source
"I learned about it later!"
Created after the event happened by someone who researched it, but was NOT there.
Your School Textbook
Written by authors looking back at history
A Documentary Movie
Explains an event using research
An Encyclopedia Article
Summarizes facts collected from many places
A Biography
A book about someone's life written by another person
Key Rule: The creator was not there—they studied other sources to write it!
Side-by-Side Slide 5 / 6
The Big Difference
Remember these two phrases and you will never mix them up:
Type 1
Primary Source
"I saw it with my own eyes!"
Made during the event
Firsthand eyewitness
Original, raw evidence
Type 2
Secondary Source
"I studied what happened!"
Made after the event
Secondhand researcher
Summarizes primary clues
Both types are useful, but they tell us different things!
The Golden Rule Slide 6 / 6
The One Question to Ask
Whenever you look at a source, ask yourself just one question:
"Was the creator actually there?"
YES
Primary Source
Eyewitness / Lived it
NO
Secondary Source
Researched it later
That's all there is to it! You've got this.
