Among the most important types of historical evidence are primary sources. Primary sources consist of artifacts, documents, diaries, recordings, manuscripts, photographs, autobiographies, or any other pieces of information that were created at a particular time in history.
A primary source is a first-hand account of an event or topic. They are the most direct evidence of a time or event because they were created at the time or event.
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A secondary source does not give original information. It interprets or summarizes information from primary sources. Textbooks, biographies, encyclopedias, and dictionaries are examples of secondary sources.
Historians typically use secondary resources to get a better understanding of a topic and to find further primary and secondary sources on a topic. This interactive lesson will get you thinking like a historian. You will use an Unladylike2020 digital short to learn about a Progressive Era woman and begin your search for related primary source material. You will then use the primary source that you found to construct your own argument for your final essay.
Click on the "Organize It!" button below to sort examples of primary and secondary sources.