Primary Source Analysis
Learn
Primary sources are original documents, objects, or records created during the time period you are studying. Learning to analyze primary sources is an important skill for understanding history. In this lesson, you will learn how to examine primary sources from your state's history.
Examples of primary sources include: letters, diaries, photographs, maps, newspapers from the time period, official documents, and artifacts.
Examples
Work through these examples to see the concepts in action.
Example: When analyzing a historical photograph from your state, ask: Who is in the photo? When was it taken? What details do you notice? What can you learn about life during that time?
✏️ Practice
Test your understanding with these practice questions.
Practice Questions
0/3 correctWhat is a primary source?
What are the three branches of the U.S. government?
What is a democracy?
Check Your Understanding
Test yourself with these review questions. Click on each question to reveal the answer.
1. What makes a source a "primary source"?
Answer: A primary source was created at the time of the event or by someone who experienced it firsthand. It is an original, not a later account or interpretation.
2. Which of these is a primary source: a textbook about your state's history or a diary written by an early settler?
Answer: The diary written by an early settler is the primary source because it was created by someone who experienced that time period firsthand.
3. What is a secondary source?
Answer: A secondary source is created later by someone who did not experience the event. It interprets or analyzes primary sources. Examples include textbooks, encyclopedias, and documentaries.
4. Why might a primary source contain bias?
Answer: The person who created it had their own perspective, beliefs, and experiences that influenced how they recorded events. They might only show one point of view.
5. What questions should you ask when analyzing a historical photograph?
Answer: Ask: What do you see? Who is in the photo? When and where was it taken? What was happening? What details tell you about life at that time? What questions do you have?
6. How can old newspapers help us learn about state history?
Answer: Old newspapers show what people thought was important news at the time, reveal details about daily life, and provide firsthand accounts of historical events as they happened.
7. What is the difference between observing and inferring when looking at a primary source?
Answer: Observing is describing exactly what you see. Inferring is making an educated guess about meaning based on evidence and your background knowledge.
8. Why is it important to know who created a primary source?
Answer: Knowing the creator helps you understand their perspective, possible biases, and why they created the source. This helps you evaluate the reliability of the information.
9. How can maps from different time periods show historical changes?
Answer: Comparing maps shows how boundaries changed, where new towns developed, how transportation routes grew, and how land use changed over time in your state.
10. What should you do if two primary sources give different information about the same event?
Answer: Compare both sources carefully, consider each creator's perspective, look for additional sources to verify information, and understand that different viewpoints can both contain truth.
Next Steps
- Review any concepts that felt challenging
- Move on to the next lesson when ready
- Return to practice problems periodically for review