"A primary source gives the words of the witnesses or the first recorders of an event. Primary sources include manuscripts, archives, letters, diaries, and speeches. ... Secondary sources are 'descriptions of the event derived from and based on primary sources'. The line between primary and secondary sources is often indistinct, for example, a single document may be a primary source on some matter and a secondary source on others." (Helen J. Poulton, The historian's handbook (Norman, OK:University of Oklahoma Press, 1972), p.175-76).
 
     Often  historians rely on  oral history rather than written history to document an event. E vents such as helping slaves escape were not written down since that activity was against the law.

     Look back at the sources used in the research project so far and classify them as primary, secondary, written, and oral.  There will be much overlapping and within one type of source, you may find another.  Use the chart below to classify the sources used.
 
 

Primary Source	Secondary Source
Written Source	Oral Source