How is a secondary source defined?

A secondary source is defined as information that is gathered and interpreted by someone who did not experience the event directly. This type of source analyzes, summarizes, or critiques primary sources or other secondary sources. For example, a history book that discusses a specific historical event based on letters, diaries, or photographs (primary sources) would be a secondary source. When people create secondary sources, they synthesize their own conclusions from multiple perspectives, providing context and a broader understanding of the topic at hand.

In contrast, other options describe different types of sources. An eyewitness account or firsthand narrative represents a primary source, as it originates directly from someone who experienced the event. Artifacts like tools or clothing from a specific time period are also primary sources, providing direct evidence about that era. A report based on personal opinions would not fit neatly into the definitions of primary or secondary sources; it lacks the analytical component that characterizes secondary sources, as it may represent subjective viewpoints rather than an objective interpretation of events.