Oral history

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/oral-history

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the methodology?Qualitative research involving planned interviews to collect historical accounts
2. What is the primary source?Interviews provide firsthand or eyewitness testimony of past events
3. Why do people record stories with audio or video?Audio or video recordings keep the exact words, tone, and feelings of the storyteller. They help preserve the stories for future generations and make them easier to share.
4. How do historians ask questions in oral history interviews?Historians plan detailed questions and listen carefully. They ask thoughtful, open questions so the person can share long stories and feelings about what happened.

Primary Source: An original document or artifact created at the time of an event being studied.
Qualitative Research: Research that explores non-numerical data, focusing on understanding experiences and meanings.
Methodology: A system of methods used in a particular area of study or activity.