Sources of History Concept Map
See how primary sources, secondary sources and archives fit together, then build a map from your own readings or slides.
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CogniGuide at a glance
- What you get
- Interactive mind maps of the main ideas and how they connect. Free: overview maps (detailed maps on your first 3 creations). Plus: detailed maps with supporting concepts.
- Exports
- Your first PDF or PNG export is free; Plus exports anytime.
- Price
- Free plan: 5 creations a week, up to 3 a day. Plus: $9.99/month or $99.90/year (USD; local prices at checkout).
- Sign-up
- A free account is required before you create anything (Google or email). No credit card.
- What you can upload
- PDF, Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), plain text or Markdown, and images (PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF), or type a topic. One file per creation on the free plan; several at once on Plus.
How it compares: vs Knowt · vs Quizlet · vs NotebookLM · vs Mapify
Build Your Own Source Map
Turn your course notes or readings into a map of historical sources you can expand and test.
Map your own readings
Upload a PDF, Word file or slides from class and the AI sorts the sources into a clear structure.
Expand any branch
Click a node such as archival records or oral testimony to add subtopics and examples with AI.
Quiz yourself on sources
Turn the finished map into a quiz, or create flashcards from the same notes for exam revision.
How to Make a Source Map
Three steps take you from your course material to a study map of historical sources.
- 1
Add your material
Upload your notes, textbook chapter or slides, or simply type the topic Sources of History.
- 2
AI builds the map
The AI groups sources into primary, secondary, tertiary and archival branches with expandable nodes.
- 3
Study and test
Edit nodes, export as PNG or PDF, then turn the map into a quiz before your exam.
Understanding the Sources of History
Historians build accounts of the past from sources, which are the traces people left behind. A sources of history concept map divides this evidence into primary sources, created at the time by witnesses or participants, and secondary sources, written later to interpret them. Most map branches then cover document types, physical remains and how each source is checked.
- Primary sources: letters, diaries, photographs, official records, artifacts
- Secondary sources: textbooks, scholarly articles, biographies, documentaries
- Tertiary sources: encyclopedias and reference works that summarize other sources
- Source criticism: testing authorship, date, bias and reliability
- Archives: where original records are stored and accessed
Use the map to revise how each source type is used and judged. CogniGuide can build a personalized version from your own notes, so your map matches your course.
Explore related topics
Sources of History Questions
Answers on historical sources and building your own map.
What is the difference between a primary and a secondary source?
A primary source was created during the period studied, such as a letter or a photograph. A secondary source analyzes or interprets primary sources, such as a history book written decades later.
Why do historians check the reliability of sources?
Sources can reflect the bias, purpose or limited knowledge of their authors. Historians compare sources and check authorship and date to judge how much weight each deserves.
Which files can I use to make a source map?
You can upload PDF, Word (DOCX) and PowerPoint (PPTX) files, text or Markdown files, or images. You can also type a topic and let the AI build the map.
Is it free to create a sources of history map?
Yes. The free plan allows 5 creations a week with no payment needed, and paid plans raise those limits. You can also turn the map into a quiz.