Historians use different types of sources to make sense of the past. Variety is the spice of life, but it can be more than a little mind-boggling to keep them straight. You are in the right spot if you're not sure what sources are, let alone why there are soooo many of them in your AP history class.
Read on for everything you need to know about the three main sources you'll see in your class!
What Is A Source?
How Historians Use Sources
The job of a historian is to make sense of the past.
First, they have to determine what happened during events. This may seem basic, but it can be a challenge. After all, historians usually don't live through the events they study. So they have to gather evidence from people who did.
Second, they have to make sense of their evidence. Historians don't just describe what happened. They also make arguments about the past. They may explore the relationship between events, the significance of a particular moment, or how two things are similar to each other.
It's important that these arguments are backed up by evidence. Often history seems removed from day-to-day life. Sometimes, that's an extremely fair criticism.
- They also can help track down stolen property and determine who it belongs to.
- They help people understand their family's history.
- They shape political policies and the public's understanding of the past.
How AP History Students Use Sources
In AP history classes, you have to learn to do the work that a historian does.
This includes all sorts of fun things!
- Develop arguments that show causation, change over time, and similarities between historical events.
- Use evidence to prove your arguments are based in history and logical.
- Analyze the background of your text to strengthen your argument.
- Cite the sources you've used to develop your arguments.
A Word on Words
Some AP history texts and teachers use different words to describe sources. You may hear people reference the following terms:
- Stimuli or stimulus. This is common when discussing the Multiple Choice Questions.
- Documents. For example, a Document-Based Question is a type of question in AP history courses.
Primary Sources
Definition
Often, historians decide what to study before they look for sources. They will decide on a specific time period and place that interests them.*
A primary source is any source that is created in the time period the historian wants to study. Typically, primary sources also come from the place the a historian wishes to study.
Any source that is faithful replication of a primary source is also a primary source. A primary source that is translated, transcribed, recorded, photographed, quoted, or photocopied is still a primary source.
*Sometimes, historians reverse this process. They may find a primary source that interests them and then decide to study the relevant period of time.
A Courtroom Metaphor
Historians use sources to prove arguments. They're hoping to show that there is a particular relationship between two events or periods of time. This is known as a historical argument, and it must be supported by evidence.
Everyone loves a good courtroom drama. It's also a useful metaphor for these different types of sources.
Let's say we have the classic set up. An attorney is trying to prove that Sally stole a car. This is the argument that the attorney will make in court. They also need to find evidence that supports their claim.
Attorneys use eyewitness evidence to support their arguments. For example, the owner of the stolen car may testify during the trial. If the owner says Sally stole the car, that is very convincing evidence.
The attorney may also use photographic or video evidence. For example, security camera footage may show Sally breaking the car's windows.
Attorneys build a strong case by having multiple pieces of high-quality evidence. Evidence from people (or cameras) that were at the scene of the crime are very compelling.
The same is true for historians. High-quality primary sources help create a convincing argument.
Examples
Historians have a LOT of options when it comes to primary sources. Here are some things that are often primary sources.
- Letters
- Memoirs and Autobiographies
- Photographs
- Video and Audio Recordings
- Posters
- Newspaper Articles
- Literature and Art
- Interviews
- Government Data
Secondary Sources
Definition
Secondary sources are created by studying several primary sources and drawing conclusions based on research. Secondary sources generally focus on one or more historical arguments. That means the writer is trying to assert that there is a specific connection between events, or that a specific trend occurred within a time period.
Secondary sources are typically made by experts in a topic. This is often a historian, but it could be a journalist, writer, amateur historian, or any other person who has done sufficient research on the topic. Similarly, secondary sources are often made by people who did NOT witness the events firsthand. Their research and expertise is the basis of their credibility.
A Courtroom Metaphor
Let's return to our courtroom example. Sally is accused of stealing a car.
Like before, attorneys on both sides are trying to build a strong case by citing multiple pieces of evidence. They can make their case strong by citing different kinds of evidence. So, in addition to the eyewitness testimony (primary source), they may also bring in experts to testify.
For example, the prosecutor may bring in an expert on fingerprinting. The expert says that the prints on Sally's fingers match the prints found on the car's steering wheel.
This would help support the argument that Sally stole the car. Unlike the eyewitnesses, we don't trust this source because they saw the event happen. The expert's testimony is credible because of their investigation into the topic and their existing expertise.
This is like a secondary source because they aren't created by someone who saw the event. Instead, they are created by someone whose opinion is respected because of their training and research.
Examples
All of the following can be secondary sources:
- Newspaper articles, especially opinion pieces.
- Topical history books
- Biographies
- Interviews with experts
- Charts, graphs, or maps based on compiled or selected data
Tertiary Sources
Definition
Tertiary sources summarize the factual details of history. They are created by researching primary and secondary sources. Then, the writer determines which facts and interpretations are generally accepted.
The biggest difference between secondary and tertiary source is the goal. A secondary source presents a historical argument. A tertiary source presents the basic facts of an event. This may include the significance of the event or it's connection to other events, as currently understood by historians. But a tertiary source isn't trying to present new research or advance its own argument.
A Courtroom Metaphor
It's less common for tertiary sources to be cited in courtrooms, so I don't have a great metaphor here. But even this tells us something. Even outside of history, a source that's three steps away from the events is seen as less credible than one that's closer.
Examples
All of the following can be tertiary sources.
- Encyclopedia articles
- Textbooks
- Documentaries
- Bibliographies
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