Worksheet Understanding Primary and Secondary Sources - Free Printable

The task appears to be about distinguishing between primary sources and secondary sources. Here's a breakdown of the solution:

Definitions:

- Primary Sources: These are original materials that provide direct evidence or first-hand testimony about an event, object, person, or work of art. Examples include letters, diaries, photographs, speeches, government documents, etc.
- Secondary Sources: These are interpretations, analyses, or discussions of primary sources. They offer commentary or analysis based on primary sources. Examples include textbooks, articles, literature reviews, blog posts, etc.

Solution:

Let’s classify each item as either a Primary Source (P) or a Secondary Source (S):

1. Letters and diaries
- Classification: Primary Source (P)
- Reason: Letters and diaries are firsthand accounts written by individuals who experienced events directly.

2. A textbook describing the civil rights movement
- Classification: Secondary Source (S)
- Reason: Textbooks analyze and interpret historical events using primary sources but are not original documents themselves.

3. Photographs of a historical event
- Classification: Primary Source (P)
- Reason: Photographs capture actual events or moments in time and serve as direct evidence.

4. Article analyzing the novel
- Classification: Secondary Source (S)
- Reason: An article that analyzes a novel is an interpretation or discussion of the novel, which is itself a primary source.

5. Results of an opinion poll
- Classification: Primary Source (P)
- Reason: Opinion poll results are raw data collected directly from respondents and represent firsthand information.

6. Letters and diaries written by a historical figure
- Classification: Primary Source (P)
- Reason: These are firsthand accounts written by someone who lived through the events being described.

7. Exhibition catalog explaining the paintings
- Classification: Secondary Source (S)
- Reason: The exhibition catalog provides analysis and interpretation of the paintings, which are primary sources.

8. Recordings of speeches
- Classification: Primary Source (P)
- Reason: Speech recordings capture the actual words spoken by the speaker at a particular time and place.

9. Government documents about a new policy
- Classification: Primary Source (P)
- Reason: Government documents are official records created by authorities and provide direct evidence of policies.

10. Blog post interpreting the results of the study
- Classification: Secondary Source (S)
- Reason: A blog post that interprets the results of a study is an analysis or commentary based on the primary source (the study).

11. Newspaper article about the new policy
- Classification: Secondary Source (S)
- Reason: Newspaper articles often summarize and analyze events or policies but are not the original documents themselves.

12. Government documents
- Classification: Primary Source (P)
- Reason: Government documents are official records and provide direct evidence of policies, laws, or actions.

13. Literature review that cites the study
- Classification: Secondary Source (S)
- Reason: A literature review synthesizes and discusses existing studies, making it an interpretation rather than a primary source.

Final Answer:

1. P
2. S
3. P
4. S
5. P
6. P
7. S
8. P
9. P
10. S
11. S
12. P
13. S

Boxed Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{P, S, P, S, P, P, S, P, P, S, S, P, S}
\]