Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Watch the following video to get a better understanding of the differences between primary and secondary sources:

Primary sources:

• Tell you about an event, topic or historical period and are from the time of its occurrence

• Contains original information

• Examples include: speeches, photographs, letters, newspapers, research data

Secondary sources:

• Tell you about an event, topic or historical period, but are from a time after its occurrence

• A secondary source usually interprets, critiques, or analyzes primary sources

• Examples include: textbooks, magazines, essays or reviews, encyclopedias, articles that analyze or discuss events/ideas

As you complete your own research for your Personal Project, you should aim to have 1-3 primary sources and 4-8 secondary sources. Your bibliography must have a minimum of three different types of sources (book, internet, interview, magazine article, encyclopedia article.

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