In this section you will learn differences between academic and popular sources and between primary and secondary sources.

Why?

Understanding the differences between different kinds of sources helps you choose the sources that will be more persuasive for your particular audiences and purposes.

How?

Click the four “LearnIt” tabs to the left to see four scenarios in which students consider sources they have chosen for different contexts.

In each scenario, you can choose among possible sources — and then see how other students and teachers respond. As you choose sources, you will build a list of the qualities of academic and popular sources and of primary and secondary sources.

When you finish learning about these differences, test your understanding by clicking the “TryIt” tab to the left.