Primary Vs Secondary Sources Quiz

1. A diary written by a soldier who fought in the war.

Primary

Secondary

A diary is usually a primary source--the author was an eyewitness to the event.

Explanation

A diary is usually a primary source--the author was an eyewitness to the event.

2. A book written by a historian who didn't fight in the war, but draws on other sources.

Primary

Secondary

This is a secondary source. It is a secondhand source--the author is drawing on others for information rather than sharing their own experiences.

Explanation

This is a secondary source. It is a secondhand source--the author is drawing on others for information rather than sharing their own experiences.

3. A book about the war where the author says things like "I was drafted at age 18..."; "I flew to Vietnam a few months later..."; "We fought in five battles..."

Primary

Secondary

This sounds primary because the author is recounting personal experience. They use a lot of "I"'s and "we"'s.

Explanation

This sounds primary because the author is recounting personal experience. They use a lot of "I"'s and "we"'s.

4. Military orders, battle plans, draft laws, and other government materials from the war.

Primary

Secondary

These materials were created during the fighting, so they are primary.

Explanation

These materials were created during the fighting, so they are primary.

5. A TV documentary filmed by a reporter who toured Vietnam during the war.

Primary

Secondary

TV, radio, and films can be primary if they portray the actual event--not a reenactment. Since this documentary recorded the actual war, it is a primary source.

Explanation

TV, radio, and films can be primary if they portray the actual event--not a reenactment. Since this documentary recorded the actual war, it is a primary source.

6. A 2007 journal article about the Viet Cong with a formal writing style, bibliography at the end, and lots of analysis and interpretation.

Primary

Secondary

The article was written well after the war ended. It has a formal writing style so the author is probably not recounting their own experiences. It analyzes and interprets other sources (it has a bibliography) rather than shares the author's personal experiences. Sounds secondary.

Explanation

The article was written well after the war ended. It has a formal writing style so the author is probably not recounting their own experiences. It analyzes and interprets other sources (it has a bibliography) rather than shares the author's personal experiences. Sounds secondary.

7. A book that compiles letters, poems, and memoirs written by people who experienced the war.

Primary

Secondary

The letters, poems, and memoirs were created by eyewitnesses so the book is probably primary. The editor gathered these primary sources into one book. As long as the editor did not alter the letters, poems, and diary excerpts, these materials are primary.

Explanation

The letters, poems, and memoirs were created by eyewitnesses so the book is probably primary. The editor gathered these primary sources into one book. As long as the editor did not alter the letters, poems, and diary excerpts, these materials are primary.

8. A newspaper article about Vietnam written in the 1960s.

Primary

Secondary

Newspaper articles from the time period of an event are usually considered to be primary. They are original, raw materials created while the event was taking place.

Explanation

Newspaper articles from the time period of an event are usually considered to be primary. They are original, raw materials created while the event was taking place.