Lesson 1.02: Set the Stage

The Big IdeasWhat is the difference between primary sources and secondary sources?

What can we learn from primary and secondary sources?

What could be a problem with using just one or two primary sources to study an event?

Briefly describe the main ideas behind the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution.

SkillsAs you read, please pay attention to the questions asked when analyzing documents, images, etc.

What type of document is this source? For example, is it a government document, a letter, or a journal? When was this document created? Was this document created when an event took place? Was it created after an event? This will tell you

whether it is a primary or secondary source. Why was the document written? What evidence in the document explains this? Who wrote this document? Was it a famous individual, a group, or an ordinary person? Who was the intended audience of this document? Was it written for many people to read or just a few?

Was it supposed to be public or private? What did the intended audience know that the reader should know about?

What is the background of this document? Think about the time, place, author, and audience. What evidence in the document shows this information?

Why is this document important to the study of history?

Vocabulary (fill in examples from the lesson where possible or put the definition in your own words)Audio source – historical sources that present information that is heard, such as speechesWhat would be an example of a famous audio source?Context clue – familiar word or phrase in text that can help the reader determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word or phraseEvidence – a specific part of a source that shows facts and ideasPrimary source – source created by a person present at or involved with a historical eventWhat would be a primary source that could be used in a book written about your life?Secondary source – source created by a person who was not present at or involved with a historical eventWhat would be a secondary source that could be used in a book written about your life?Visual source - historical sources that present visual information, such as photographs or paintingsWhat is an example of a famous painting, photograph or other visual source?