History is the study of the human past as it is described in the written documents left by human beings. It is the body of knowledge about the past produced by historians, together with everything that is involved in the production, communication of, and teaching about that knowledge.
Historiography is the study of how history itself is written or handed down throughout the ages. It takes into consideration the various means by which a historical source is formed, such as the credibility of the sources used, the motives of the author composing the history, and its authenticity.
A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event. Some types of primary sources include:
• original documents (excerpts or translations acceptable): diaries, speeches.
• creative works: poetry, drama, novels, music, art
• relics or artefacts: pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings
Examples of primary sources include:
• Diary of Anne Frank - Experiences of a Jewish family during WWII
• The Constitution of Canada - Canadian History
A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them. Some types of secondary sources include:
• publications: Textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopaedias
The difference between a primary and secondary source is often determined by how they were originally created and how you use them. Here's an example: a painting or a photograph is often considered a primary source, because paintings and photographs can illustrate past events as they happened and people as they were at a particular time. However, not