Primary & Secondary

Sources

By Kyle Lavender

Primary Sources

A primary source is an original document, free from

manipulation or alteration. These sources were from the

original event.

Primary Sources

Diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, official

records, poetry, novels, music, art, pottery, clothing and

even entire buildings

Secondary Sources

A secondary source interprets and analyzes a primary

source. They are usually removed from that period of

time and reflect upon the events that occurred.

Secondary Sources

Textbooks, magazine articles, commentaries,

encyclopedias, a piece of artwork depicting a historical

event

Examples of each

Primary

The Declaration of

Independence

The Diary of Anne Frank

Martin Luther King Jr.’s

speech

The Mona Lisa

Secondary

School textbooks

An article reviewing past

findings

Novels written about past

world wars

Documentaries highlighting

past events

The Declaration of Independence

Primary Source Secondary Source

World War II

Primary Secondary