Secondary source facts for kids
A secondary source is a piece of information, like a book or a recording, that explains or talks about something that already happened. Think of it as a step away from the original event or idea.
Secondary sources get their information from primary sources. Primary sources are the original, first-hand accounts. Secondary sources then help us understand, explain, or discuss what was found in those primary sources. For example, when someone writes a book about history, they often use old letters, diaries, or official documents (which are primary sources) to create their new work.
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What is a Secondary Source?
A secondary source is created by someone who did not directly experience the event or create the original information. Instead, they look at primary sources and other secondary sources to write their own study or explanation. These sources often include many citations. Citations are like notes that show exactly where the information came from. They might be at the bottom of the page or at the end of the book.
Examples of Secondary Sources
Let's look at some examples to make it clearer:
- A history textbook you use in school is a secondary source. It tells you about events from the past, but the author wasn't there when those events happened.
- A biography about a famous person is a secondary source. The author gathered information from many places, like interviews, letters, and other books, to write the story of that person's life.
- A documentary film about a historical event is usually a secondary source. It uses old footage, interviews, and expert opinions to tell the story.
- An article in a newspaper or magazine that explains a recent scientific discovery is a secondary source. The reporter is explaining the discovery, not making the discovery themselves.
How Secondary Sources Use Primary Sources
Imagine you want to learn about the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta itself, which was signed in 1215, is a primary source. It's the original document. A book written today about what the Magna Carta means for politics in the 13th century would be a secondary source. The author of the book would read the original Magna Carta and other old documents to write their explanation.
Why are Secondary Sources Important?
Secondary sources are very helpful because they:
- Help us understand primary sources, which can sometimes be hard to read or interpret.
- Give us different viewpoints and analyses of events.
- Summarize a lot of information from many different primary sources into one place.
- Help us see how events connect over time.
For example, in law, secondary sources are used to explain legal ideas and rules. They help people understand court decisions and laws. Legal experts often write articles or books that analyze and describe laws. These writings are secondary sources.
Other important sources
See also
In Spanish: Fuente secundaria para niños
