Primary and Secondary Sources

Jaclyn Valeo

27 Jul 202104:10

Summary

TLDRThis training video educates viewers on the difference between primary and secondary sources in U.S. history. Primary sources are original materials from the time period under study, such as letters, speeches, and autobiographies. Secondary sources are interpretations of primary sources, often created by those without direct experience of the events. The video uses Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech and his autobiography as examples of primary sources, while textbooks and essays are secondary. It concludes with a comprehension check to reinforce learning.

Takeaways

📚 A 'source' refers to any person, place, or object that provides information.
📖 Primary Sources are original materials created during the time period being studied or 'first-hand' information.
💡 Examples of primary sources include letters, diaries, government documents, news articles, artifacts, and autobiographies.
🎤 Modern primary sources also encompass speeches, video news footage, photographs, and recorded interviews.
👤 An example of a primary source is Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech, which is first-hand information.
📝 Secondary Sources are created by studying primary sources and are considered 'second-hand' information.
📚 Common secondary sources are textbooks, encyclopedias, dictionaries, websites, essays, and biographies.
📚 Secondary sources are written by individuals who did not directly experience the events or time periods they describe.
📘 When studying Martin Luther King Jr., secondary sources would include textbooks, essays, biographies, and educational videos.
🔍 Both primary and secondary sources are used to write essays or reports on historical figures, with primary sources being foundational.
📈 The video concludes with a comprehension check to ensure understanding of the difference between primary and secondary sources.

Q & A

What are the two types of sources used in learning U.S. History?
-The two types of sources used in learning U.S. History are Primary Sources and Secondary Sources.
What is the definition of Primary Sources?
-Primary Sources are original materials created or produced during the time under study or 'first-hand' information.
Give some examples of Primary Sources used for studying U.S. history.
-Examples of Primary Sources include letters, diary entries, quotes, government documents, news articles, artifacts, paintings, drawings, autobiographies, speeches, video news footage, photographs, and recorded interviews.
How does the 'I Have a Dream Speech' by Martin Luther King Jr. qualify as a Primary Source?
-The 'I Have a Dream Speech' is a Primary Source because it is first-hand information coming directly from Martin Luther King Jr., whether read, heard, or watched on video.
What is the role of Secondary Sources in historical research?
-Secondary Sources are created by studying Primary Sources and are second-hand sources of information. They are created by someone who did not have first-hand experience or participate in the events, conditions, or time periods being studied.
List some examples of Secondary Sources.
-Examples of Secondary Sources include textbooks, encyclopedias, dictionaries, websites, essays, and biographies written by someone other than the subject.
Why are both Primary and Secondary Sources important for writing an essay on a historical figure like Martin Luther King Jr.?
-Both Primary and Secondary Sources are important for writing an essay because Primary Sources provide first-hand information, while Secondary Sources offer analysis and interpretation of those primary materials.
What is the difference between a Primary Source and a Secondary Source according to the transcript?
-A Primary Source is an original material created during the time under study, providing first-hand information. A Secondary Source is created by someone who did not have first-hand experience and relies on Primary Sources for information.
Why is the Declaration of Independence considered a Primary Source?
-The Declaration of Independence is considered a Primary Source because it was written by Thomas Jefferson and signed by Congress in 1776, providing direct, first-hand information about the event.
How does the transcript define 'first-hand' information?
-In the transcript, 'first-hand' information refers to original materials created or produced during the time under study, providing direct evidence or testimony from the period.
What is the purpose of the comprehension check at the end of the video?
-The purpose of the comprehension check is to assess the viewer's understanding of the differences between Primary and Secondary Sources and to reinforce the key concepts presented in the video.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Primary and Secondary Sources

This paragraph introduces the concepts of Primary and Secondary Sources in the context of studying U.S. History. Primary Sources are original materials created during the time period under study, providing first-hand information. Examples include letters, diaries, government documents, and autobiographies. Secondary Sources are created by studying primary sources and include textbooks, encyclopedias, and biographies written by someone other than the subject. The paragraph uses Martin Luther King Jr. as an example to illustrate the difference between the two types of sources.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Primary Sources

Primary sources are original materials created or produced during the time period under study. They provide first-hand information directly from the source, such as letters, diary entries, speeches, and autobiographies. In the video, primary sources are exemplified by Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech, his autobiography, and his TV interview on Meet the Press in 1965. These sources are crucial for historians to understand the past directly, without the filter of interpretation by others.

💡Secondary Sources

Secondary sources are created by studying primary sources and are second-hand sources of information. They are written by individuals who did not have first-hand experience of the events they describe. Examples from the script include textbooks, encyclopedias, and biographies written by someone other than the subject. Secondary sources interpret and analyze primary sources to provide context and understanding of historical events or figures, such as a textbook section on Martin Luther King Jr. or a biography written by another author.

💡First-hand Information

First-hand information refers to data or knowledge that is obtained directly from the source or event, without any intermediary interpretation. In the context of the video, first-hand information is exemplified by primary sources like Martin Luther King Jr.'s original speech and writings. This direct access to the thoughts and experiences of historical figures is essential for a more accurate and authentic understanding of history.

💡Artifacts

Artifacts are objects made by humans, especially in earlier times, that can provide insight into past cultures and events. In the video, artifacts are mentioned as a type of primary source that can offer a tangible connection to the past. They can include physical objects like tools, pottery, or clothing, which when studied, help historians piece together the daily life and societal structures of the time.

💡Autobiographies

An autobiography is a self-written account of a person's life. In the video, Martin Luther King Jr.'s autobiography is highlighted as a primary source because it provides a direct, personal perspective on his experiences and thoughts. Autobiographies are valuable primary sources because they offer a unique, insider's view of historical events and personal journeys.

💡Historians

Historians are professionals who study and interpret past events and the sources related to them. The video mentions historians using primary sources to understand the past, emphasizing their role in analyzing and contextualizing historical data. Historians are crucial in shaping our understanding of history by piecing together evidence from primary and secondary sources.

💡Comprehension Check

A comprehension check is a method used in educational settings to assess a learner's understanding of the material presented. In the video, a comprehension check is used to reinforce the concepts of primary and secondary sources by asking the audience to identify examples. This interactive element helps ensure that viewers have grasped the key differences between the two types of sources.

💡Textbooks

Textbooks are educational resources that compile information on a subject for instructional purposes. They are mentioned in the video as a common type of secondary source. Textbooks synthesize information from various primary sources and scholarly research, presenting it in a structured format for students to learn from, such as a section describing the Jamestown settlement.

💡Essays

Essays are short pieces of writing on a particular subject, often presenting the author's point of view. In the context of the video, essays are categorized as secondary sources because they typically analyze and interpret information from primary sources. An essay written by a classmate about Martin Luther King Jr. would be an example of a secondary source, as it would be based on the author's research and interpretation of existing materials.

💡Biographies

Biographies are written accounts of a person's life, authored by someone other than the subject. The video mentions biographies as secondary sources because they are based on the compilation and interpretation of various sources about the person's life. A biography about Martin Luther King Jr. written by another author would rely on primary sources and other secondary sources to construct the narrative.

💡Jamestown Settlement

The Jamestown Settlement refers to the first permanent English settlement in the Americas, established in 1607. In the video, a section of a textbook describing the Jamestown settlement is used as an example of a secondary source. This historical event is significant for understanding the beginnings of English colonization in North America, and the textbook section serves as a synthesized account for educational purposes.

Highlights

Definition of Primary Sources as original materials created during the time under study.

Primary Sources include letters, diaries, quotes, government documents, news articles, artifacts, paintings, drawings, and autobiographies.

Modern Primary Sources include speeches, video news footage, photographs, and recorded interviews.

Example of a Primary Source: Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s autobiography is a Primary Source.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s TV interview on Meet the Press in 1965 is a Primary Source.

Primary Sources provide first-hand information directly from those involved.

Definition of Secondary Sources as second-hand sources of information.

Secondary Sources are created by someone who did not have first-hand experience.

Examples of Secondary Sources include textbooks, encyclopedias, dictionaries, websites, essays, and biographies.

Secondary Sources rely on Primary Sources to report information about the past.

When studying Martin Luther King Jr., textbooks and essays are Secondary Sources.

A section in a textbook about Jamestown settlement is a Secondary Source.

Primary Sources are used to create Secondary Sources.

Comprehension check questions to test understanding of Primary and Secondary Sources.

An interview with a Titanic survivor is identified as a Primary Source.

The Declaration of Independence is a Primary Source.

A section of a textbook describing the Jamestown settlement is a Secondary Source.

Encouragement to complete the lesson by clicking 'Next' and participating in further activities.