Primary And Secondary Sources
By: Alyssa Cervantes
Primary Source
A Primary Source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event.
Examples of Primary Sources
- photographs
- letters
- artifacts
- diaries
How to use Primary Sources
When it comes to reading primary sources you have to look for specific evidence that helps you get a clear understanding of the event. You read the content and then you began to ask yourself questions that will help you relate and understand the reading.
Writing an essay that contains primary sources is very beneficial to the writer. So when you construct the essay make sure to analyze not summarize and to use as much evidence from the source as you can.
When to use Primary Sources
Primary sources can be used in writing to help the writers writing become clear and understanding to the reader. By adding the primary source the reader can get a fill of what they are reading and the importance.
Reason for Primary Source
There are 3 main reasons for using primary sources. Engage students, Develop critical thinking skills, and constructs knowledge. Primary sources are key ingredients to a better understanding of the time period we are researching. It provides a window to the past. By it being a first person source it makes it more real, making it easier to for understanding.
Secondary Source
A Secondary Source is any source about an event, period, or issue in history that was produced after that event, period or issue has passed.
Example of Secondary Source
- Magazine
- journal articles
- text books
How to use Secondary Sources
When it comes to Secondary Sources you receive information on a key event written in the voice of the writer. Secondary sources allow your mind to think outside the box and on others view points. You use secondary sources in your writings to support your own ideas in the writing.
When to use Secondary Sources
Secondary sources can be used in writing to help support and develop your own ideas in the writing. By adding secondary sources it helps the readers and yourself understand the writing from a different point of view.
Reason for Secondary Source
Secondary sources give you context and insights on the event.