Primary vs Secondary Sources examples and definition
טקסט Storyboard
Date of Creation
Primary Sources
I was present at the firing. I heard one of the Guns rattle. I turned about and lookd and heard the officer who stood on the right in a line with the Soldiers give the word fire twice. I looked the Officer in the face when he gave the word and saw his mouth. -
Date of Creation
Secondary Sources
A primary source document is a document or artifact that was created by someone who was at the event they wrote or spoke about. Historians rely on these eyewitness accounts to build their ever-growing library of history.
Strengths of Using A Primary Source
Source: Daniel Calif, an eyewitness to the "Boston Massacre"
A secondary source document is a document or artifact that was created after an event occurred by someone who did not witness the event.
Strengths of Using A Secondary Source
Source: Paul Revere, Boston Silversmith NOT present at the "Boston Massacre"
Emotional
Unique Perspective
Authentic
Personal
THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION
Primary sources are a crucial element of understanding history. A primary source can allow a moment in history to become an authentic personal experience for the reader. Primary sources allow historians to see, hear, and read about individual experiences and feelings in a way that a summary of an event can't quite accomplish.
Drawbacks/Negatives of Using A Primary Source
Eyewitness Account Only Saw 10 Minutes of a 50-Minute Event
A secondary source incorporates multiple perspectives into an account which hopefully eliminates biased viewpoints. A secondary source is also beneficial because it allows the author more time to study the event before finalizing a document about it. The additional time to study the event results in a more accurate and complete version of the historical event.
Drawbacks/Negatives of Using a Secondary Source
The True History of The Boston Massacre
A primary source may have certain drawbacks for historians. The source they are using may not be objective enough or contain certain biases. A primary source may be not contain complete or accurate details of an event in question.
TIMELINE OF EVENT
Although a secondary source can be a helpful piece of information for historians, there can be extreme biases or inaccuracies in the information it presents. A secondary source is created from primary sources and there is a possibility that misleading or biased primary sources can create just as inaccurate secondary sources.