Primary and secondary sources

Informational TextUsing Primary and Secondary Sources

Informational TextsConnecting to the LiteratureIntroducing the Informational TextsVocabulary

Informational Reading Focus: Primary and Secondary Sources

Primary SourcesSecondary SourcesUsing Primary and Secondary SourcesAssignment

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Mrs. Jones in “Thank You, M’am” helps a boy who might otherwise end up on the wrong path. In the following primary and secondary sources, you’ll meet real people who also help others, and you’ll learn about community service in the process.

Connecting to the Literature

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“Teaching Chess, and Life”

Introducing the Informational Texts

“Community Service

& You”

“Feeding Frenzy”

How did learning to play chess change one young man’s life?

“Teaching Chess, and Life”

Introducing the Informational Texts

To find out, read “Teaching Chess, and Life.”

Have you ever thought about volunteering in your community? Have you ever wondered how you could make a difference?

“Community Service & You”

Introducing the Informational Texts

Read “Community Service & You” to find out about the various volunteer opportunities for young people.

What happens when a young man decides to devote his time and energy to begin a surplus food-sharing program in his own school district?

“Feeding Frenzy”

Introducing the Informational Texts

Learn how David Levitt overcame bureaucratic red tape to make his dream a reality in “Feeding Frenzy.”

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Vocabulary Development

mentorship n.: advice or lessons from a mentor, or wise teacher

intimidating v. used as adj.: frightening

endeavors n.: serious attempts, efforts, or undertakings

legislation n.: law or body of laws

Vocabulary

Vocabulary Development

bureaucratic adj.: relating to rigid government routine

undaunted adj.: not discouraged by a difficulty or setback

Vocabulary

3. All serious __________ require patience and hard work.

4. A newly hired athletic trainer benefits from the __________ of an experienced professional.

5. The team persevered, __________ by the disappointing loss.

mentorship

intimidating

endeavors

bureaucratic

undaunted

1. The barking dogs were __________ to the small child.

2. As town mayor, Nodra had grown tired of the job’s __________ constraints.

Vocabulary

mentorship

intimidating

endeavors

bureaucratic

undaunted

Vocabulary Practice

Fill in the blanks with Word Bank words.

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Click here to listen to a firsthand account of the championship game.

Primary sources are firsthand accounts.

Primary Sources

• Writers may reveal their experiences, opinions, and ideas.

Primary Sources

Primary SourcesAutobiographies Letters Interviews Speeches

Eyewitness Reports Essays Editorials Oral Histories

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Autobiographies

Speeches

Letters

Secondary sources are secondhand accounts.

Secondary Sources

• They are often based on more than one viewpoint.

• Writers summarize, interpret, or analyze events in which they did not participate.

Secondary Sources

Secondary SourcesEncyclopedia Articles Reference Works Textbooks

Newspaper Articles Biographies Magazine Articles

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Newspaper ArticlesEncyclopedias

Textbooks

Using the sources: Follow these steps to get the most out of your sources.

Using Primary and Secondary Sources

• Identify

• Analyze

• Evaluate

• Elaborate

Identify.

Analyze.

Using Primary and Secondary Sources

• Is the source a primary or secondary source?

• What is the main idea?

• How does the author support the main idea?

• Who is the author’s audience?

• What is the author’s purpose?

Is this a primary or secondary source? How do you know?

What is the main idea?

Using Primary and Secondary Sources

Quick Check Many kids my age in Washington Heights wind up in gangs, as drug dealers, in jail, or dead. I decided long ago that I would not end up in one of those situations because of the consequences I saw others suffer. I have stuck by this decision with help from several important people. One of the most influential people in my life is my former chess coach and current boss, Jeremy Chiappetta, who has taught me a lot about chess and more about life.

from “Teaching Chess, and Life” by Carlos Capellan (from an essay adapted by The New York Times,

September 3, 2000)

Who is the author’s audience?

What is the author’s purpose?

Using Primary and Secondary Sources

Quick Check Many kids my age in Washington Heights wind up in gangs, as drug dealers, in jail, or dead. I decided long ago that I would not end up in one of those situations because of the consequences I saw others suffer. I have stuck by this decision with help from several important people. One of the most influential people in my life is my former chess coach and current boss, Jeremy Chiappetta, who has taught me a lot about chess and more about life.

from “Teaching Chess, and Life” by Carlos Capellan (from an essay adapted by The New York Times,

September 3, 2000)

Evaluate.

Using Primary and Secondary Sources

• Is the writer presenting objective facts, subjective opinions, or a mix of both?

• Is the factual information accurate? (If in doubt, check the accuracy by reading other sources.)

• Are the author’s opinions supported by evidence and logical reasoning?

• Do you agree with the author’s message?

Do you think the essay will be objective or subjective? Why?

Using Primary and Secondary Sources

Quick Check Many kids my age in Washington Heights wind up in gangs, as drug dealers, in jail, or dead. I decided long ago that I would not end up in one of those situations because of the consequences I saw others suffer. I have stuck by this decision with help from several important people. One of the most influential people in my life is my former chess coach and current boss, Jeremy Chiappetta, who has taught me a lot about chess and more about life.

from “Teaching Chess, and Life” by Carlos Capellan (from an essay adapted by The New York Times,

September 3, 2000)

Elaborate.

Using Primary and Secondary Sources

• Present your own ideas on the topic.

• Do further research.

• Check to see if a secondary source has a bibliography or a list of works cited. These contain other useful sources of information.

What lessons about life might someone learn from playing chess?

Using Primary and Secondary Sources

Quick Check Many kids my age in Washington Heights wind up in gangs, as drug dealers, in jail, or dead. I decided long ago that I would not end up in one of those situations because of the consequences I saw others suffer. I have stuck by this decision with help from several important people. One of the most influential people in my life is my former chess coach and current boss, Jeremy Chiappetta, who has taught me a lot about chess and more about life.

from “Teaching Chess, and Life” by Carlos Capellan (from an essay adapted by The New York Times,

September 3, 2000) [End of Section]

As you read “Teaching Chess, and Life,” “Community Service & You,” and “Feeding Frenzy”

• identify each text as either a primary or a secondary source

• analyze each text and identify the main idea and purpose

• elaborate on ideas presented in these texts

Assignment

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