Author S Argument Quiz Reflections
Author’s Argument Quiz Reflections
Primary and Secondary Sources
Read through these reflections carefully, using them to get more feedback out of your quiz. Make any needed adjustments and improvements to your test.
1. Definitions
In order to receive full credit, you must provide a complete definition for primary and secondary source. Sources are not exclusively “written” and they are not always in reference to “an event.”
Do not make the assumption that primary sources have 1st person narration and secondary sources have 3rd person narration. This is not true and provides a definition that is too narrow. For example, a newspaper article can be a primary source (depending on context) and is written in 3rd person.
Primary Source: Primary sources are original materials. They are from the time period involved and have not been filtered through interpretation or evaluation. Primary sources are original materials on which other research is based.
Secondary Source: Secondary sources are less easily defined than primary sources. Generally, they are accounts written after the fact with the benefit of hindsight. They are interpretations and evaluations of primary sources. Secondary sources are not evidence, but rather commentary on and discussion of evidence.
2. Examples
An extensive list of examples was offered in class when we first discussed primary and secondary sources. You can view this by opening the Power Point posted on the class website. (msmoorehfa.edublogs.org or hfaoettel.wikispaces.com)
Note: Sometimes commentary will precede a primary source in order to provide context for understanding that source.
3. Analysis
As always, analysis must connect to the overall goal of explaining how a particular source fits the definition of primary or secondary. “This source is written in 3rd person and has an informative tone.” à so what? Explain how this evidence would suggest that the source is secondary. Also, make sure you present textual evidence when necessary.
Sample of Analysis of Text I:
Text 2 fits the description of a secondary source for multiple reasons. First, it contains no firsthand accounts of the events being described. The text summarizes multiple events over a lengthy period of time indicating a broad scope of information uncharacteristic of primary sources. It provides somewhat subjective interpretations of historical events such as Bates “proved to be a poor witness” and “had a crisis of conscience,” indicating that this source builds off of and provides commentary for primary sources. The tone is neutral and unbiased, making it suitable for the source’s purpose which is to inform the reader of the life and events of Ruby Bates as they relate to the Scottsboro Boys trial. The third person omniscient narrator, although not an absolute indicator of a secondary source, does suggest that primary sources were evaluated and then interpreted for this commentary (as indicated by the direct quote from Ruby Bates).