What is a Primary Source?

What is a Primary Source? A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event. Some types of primary sources include: ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (excerpts or translations acceptable): Diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records  CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art  RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings Examples of primary sources include: Diary of Anne Frank - Experiences of a Jewish family during WWII  The Constitution of Canada - Canadian History  A journal article reporting NEW research or findings  Weavings and pottery - Native American history  Plato's Republic - Women in Ancient Greece  What is a secondary source? A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them. Some types of seconday sources include: PUBLICATIONS: Textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopedias  Examples of secondary sources include: A journal/magazine article which interprets or reviews previous findings  A history textbook  A book about the effects of WWI  Search by keyword for Primary Sources in the Main Catalog You can search the Main Catalog to find direct references to primary source material. Perform a keyword search for your topic and add one of the words below: (these are several examples of words that would identify a source as primary) charters correspondence diaries early works interviews manuscripts oratory pamphlets personal narratives sources speeches letters documents Selected Primary Sources on the Internet