HISTORY @ ISP

Using Sources

Objective: To identify what a primary and

secondary source is and how they can be used
 Using Sources – Using sources from
the past to draw conclusions about
the past

■ Historians are like detectives

■ They work with evidence
■ Sources are pieces of
information that give us
evidence about people or
events so that we can make
judgements/draw conclusions

Objective: To identify what a primary and

secondary source is and how they can be used
 What types of sources might a
historian use to find things out
about the past?

Objective: To identify what a primary and

secondary source is and how they can be used
 What types of sources might a
historian use to find things out about
the past?
 Types of Historical Sources
Primary Source – Evidence that was made at
the time of the event
Secondary Source – Evidence that was made
after the event
Can you decide whether
these sources are primary
or secondary?

Objective: To identify what a primary and

secondary source is and how they can be used
Primary Source – Evidence that was made at the time of the event

Secondary Source – Evidence that was made after the event

How quick are you to put your hand up?

An ancient Greek
vase

primary

Objective: To identify what a primary and

secondary source is and how they can be used
Primary Source – Evidence that was made at the time of the event

Secondary Source – Evidence that was made after the event

A textbook about
the ancient Greeks,
written in 1999

secondary

Objective: To identify what a primary and

secondary source is and how they can be used
Primary Source – Evidence that was made at the time of the event

Secondary Source – Evidence that was made after the event

A newspaper
written in 1945
during World War II

primary

Objective: To identify what a primary and

secondary source is and how they can be used
Primary Source – Evidence that was made at the time of the event

Secondary Source – Evidence that was made after the event

An interview with a
lady who lived
through World War II
about her memories

primary

Objective: To identify what a primary and

secondary source is and how they can be used
Primary Source – Evidence that was made at the time of the event

Secondary Source – Evidence that was made after the event

Roman Temple
Ruins

primary

Objective: To identify what a primary and

secondary source is and how they can be used
Primary Source – Evidence that was made at the time of the event

Secondary Source – Evidence that was made after the event

A website about the

history of Malaysia

secondary

Objective: To identify what a primary and

secondary source is and how they can be used
 Task 1: Evidence sort
Visual Evidence
Oral Evidence

Written Evidence
Physical Evidence

Task 2: What are the advantages (good things) and

disadvantages (bad things) about each type of source?
One advantage of oral evidence is….
One disadvantage of oral evidence is…..
Task 2: Evidence sort.

Oral Evidence Visual Evidence

Written Evidence Physical Evidence

THINK ABOUT What are the advantages (good things) and disadvantages (bad
things) about each type of source?
Task 2: Evidence sort.

Oral Evidence Visual Evidence

Written Evidence Physical Evidence

Drag the symbol to the correct spot

THINK ABOUT What are the advantages (good things) and disadvantages (bad
things) about each type of source?
Task 2: Evidence sort.

Oral Evidence Visual Evidence

Written Evidence Physical Evidence

THINK ABOUT What are the advantages (good things) and disadvantages (bad
things) about each type of source?
Task 2: Evidence sort.

Oral Evidence Visual Evidence

Written Evidence Physical Evidence

THINK ABOUT What are the advantages (good things) and disadvantages (bad
things) about each type of source?
Task 2: Evidence sort.

Oral Evidence Visual Evidence

Written Evidence Physical Evidence

 Task 3: What are the advantages (good things) and disadvantages (bad
things) about each type of source?
Oral Evidence
One advantage of oral evidence is….
One disadvantage of oral evidence is…..

Visual Evidence

Written Evidence

Physical Evidence
Challenge:
Order your evidence from most useful source
to least useful to a historian.
You must fully explain your decision!
For example - I think that diaries are the most
useful because….
Think About It

How can we use sources to draw conclusions

about an event or person in the past?
If you are finished use the rest of
your time to work on your
History@ISP guidebook.