Analyzing Primary Sources 7th and 8th SS

What is a primary source?

A primary source is an original object document that contains first-hand information about an event or time period. Why study primary sources in Social Studies? Primary sources are firsthand accounts and considered more authentic and reliable since they originated from the time and context being studied. Primary sources help us understand the past including different perspectives of the time in comparison to the present. Primary sources help us gather information we cannot access directly. Primary sources provide us with a more accurate view of the past.

Research data Photogaphs Maps Speeches Interviews Government documents

Letters Manuscripts Diaries Journals Audio recordings Oral histories

What is a secondary source?

A secondary source is something written about a primary source. Secondary sources are created “after the fact”, that is later than when the even occurred. A writer or producer of a secondary source will have studied the primary source or event and will then interpret the information. A secondary source is second-hand information and is not as accurate as a primary source.

Examples of secondary sources: Movies Newspaper articles Textbooks Encyclopedias Editorials Biographies Non-fiction history books

Primary source example: audio recording documents

"We choose to go to the moon", John F. Kennedy speech, Sept 12, 1962

This is an excerpt of the speech President John F Kennedy gave at Rice University on September 12, 1962 to gain public support for his proposal to land a man on the Moon before 1970. (Push play - orange button below)

Authentic Errors: Exploring Spelling and Grammer in Historical Documents

We use the spelling and wording as found in a primary source without changing them to ensure accuracy for several reasons: Preserve historical context: Primary sources reflect the language, culture, and norms of the time. Changing spelling or wording can distort the meaning or significance of the document. Authenticity: Keeping the original spelling and wording maintains the authenticity of the source, showing it exactly as it was produced. Prevent misinterpretation: Altering wording might lead to misinterpretation of the content or intent of the source. Scholarly integrity: Using the original language demonstrates respect for the source and maintains academic or scholarly rigor when analyzing historical documents.