Discussion questions

What are Primary Sources?

Primary sources are documents or artifacts created during a historical event or by someone who personally witnessed a historical event.

Primary sources can take many forms, including:

• First-hand accounts—oral histories, memoirs, diaries, letters, interviews, etc.

• Media accounts—newspaper or television report

• Political or legal documents—Congressional

• Records, Presidential Papers, Court rulings,

• Speeches, census or tax records

• Artistic works—Photographs, paintings, sculptures, films

• Artifacts—clothing, buildings, pottery

All primary sources, except first-hand accounts, must have been created at the time of the historical event that you are researching.

First-hand accounts must be an explanation of the historical event that you’re researching by someone who personally witnessed the event.