Day 4 of 30
Primary vs. secondary sources
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Learning Objective
Students will explore primary vs. secondary sources through guided practice and application.
In this lesson, we'll explore primary vs. secondary sources. Strong literacy skills open doors to learning in all subjects.
Research writing involves finding, evaluating, and synthesizing information from sources to support an original argument. CRAAP test for evaluating sources: Currency (Is it recent enough?), Relevance (Does it relate to your topic?), Authority (Who wrote it? Are they credible?), Accuracy (Is it supported by evidence?), Purpose (Is it informing, selling, or persuading?). Citation formats (MLA, APA, Chicago) give credit to sources and allow readers to verify information. Plagiarism is using someone else's ideas or words without attribution—even unintentional plagiarism has consequences. Paraphrase by reading a passage, closing it, and writing from memory in your own words. Strong research essays synthesize multiple sources into a coherent, original argument rather than just reporting what sources say.
As you work through today's material, pay attention to the examples and try to identify the patterns or strategies being used. This will help you apply these concepts to new problems.
Take notes on key points and make connections to what you've already learned in previous lessons.
Original evidence from a historical period
The process of decoding and comprehending written text
Instructions
Materials Needed
- Text passage
- Notebook
- Highlighter
Teaching Tip
For advanced learners: Encourage deeper analysis and real-world connections. Consider extension activities that allow students to apply primary vs. secondary sources to novel situations.