Primary vs. Secondary Sources

In this worksheet, students read four excerpts and determine whether each one is a primary source or a secondary source. They analyze details such as firsthand experience, time of creation, author perspective, and purpose. The activity builds understanding of how different types of sources contribute to historical knowledge. Students practice distinguishing original historical accounts from later interpretations, which strengthens critical thinking and source evaluation skills.

Curriculum Matched Skills

Social Studies – Identifying Primary and Secondary Sources

English Language Arts – Evaluating Source Origin and Purpose

Social Studies – Historical Inquiry and Evidence Analysis

English Language Arts – Reading Informational Text

Critical Thinking – Distinguishing Fact from Interpretation

This worksheet is part of our contextualization worksheets collection.