Back to: History JSS 1
Welcome to class!
Hello, my wonderful JSS 1 student! I’m absolutely delighted to have you back in history class. We’ve already talked about primary sources (the firsthand accounts) and secondary sources (interpretations of those accounts). Today, we’re going to explore another type of source called tertiary sources. These are like the “summaries of summaries” or the “digests of digests.”
Tertiary Sources of History
Think of it like this: you have a primary source, like a letter from a Nigerian soldier during World War II. Then, a historian writes a book about the war, using that letter and other sources. That book is a secondary source. Now, imagine someone writes a short article for a children’s encyclopedia, summarizing the key events of World War II, including information from the historian’s book. That encyclopedia article is a tertiary source.
Tertiary sources are one step further removed from the original event. They compile and condense information from both primary and secondary sources. They’re designed to give a general overview of a topic, rather than in-depth analysis. They’re great for getting a quick understanding of a subject, but they don’t usually provide a lot of detail or original research.
Encyclopedias
Let’s look at some examples. Encyclopedias are a classic example of tertiary sources. They contain brief articles on a wide range of topics, summarizing information from various sources. Think of Wikipedia, Britannica, or any other encyclopedia you might use. They give you a starting point for learning about a topic, but they’re not usually the best source for in-depth research.
Bibliographies
Bibliographies are another type of tertiary source. A bibliography is a list of books, articles, and other sources on a particular topic. They can be helpful for finding more information, but they don’t contain the information themselves. They simply point you to other sources.
Directories and Guidebooks
Directories and guidebooks are also tertiary sources. For example, a guidebook to historical sites in Nigeria would be a tertiary source. It might summarize information about each site, but it’s not going to provide the same level of detail as a scholarly book about Nigerian history.
Textbooks
Textbooks, while often considered secondary sources because they interpret information, can sometimes also function as tertiary sources, especially when they synthesize information from a wide range of secondary sources without adding original analysis. It really depends on how the textbook is written.
Think about a museum exhibit. The information panels describing the artifacts are often tertiary sources. They summarize information from primary sources (the artifacts themselves) and secondary sources (historical research) to give visitors a basic understanding.
Now, let’s consider Nigerian history again. A short paragraph in a children’s encyclopedia about the history of Lagos would be a tertiary source. It would summarize information from various books and articles about Lagos, giving a brief overview of its history.
Summary
It’s important to remember that tertiary sources are not usually considered original research. They rely on information that has already been gathered and interpreted by others. They’re a good starting point for learning about a topic, but they shouldn’t be your only source of information.
So, tertiary sources are helpful for getting a general understanding of a topic. They provide a summary of information from primary and secondary sources. They’re like the “Cliff’s Notes” of history, giving you the gist of a subject without all the details.
Evaluation
Now, let’s check your understanding. Can you explain in your own words what a tertiary source is and give three different examples? Think about a topic you’re interested in. Where might you find tertiary sources about that topic?
Excellent! You’re doing a fantastic job learning about the different types of historical sources. I’m so proud of your hard work and your eagerness to learn. Remember, tertiary sources are just one piece of the puzzle. We need to use all types of sources—primary, secondary, and tertiary—to get a complete picture of the past. I’m excited to continue this historical adventure with you in our next lesson. See you there!
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