A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. Some types of primary sources include:
Original Documents:
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
Constitution of Poland
Journal article reporting new research or findings
Weaving and pottery
Plato's Republic
"Whether conducting research in the social sciences, history, arts, or natural sciences, the ability to distinguish between primary and secondary source material is essential..."
Learn how to distinguish between primary and secondary source here. Learn more about primary sources at University of Illinois Library's Primary Village
Go here for list of links to a great variety of primary sources. Includes documents from around the world. Note: Some resources listed here require username/password from host institution thus you will not be able to access those resources.
What is a secondary source? Secondary sources interpret and analyze primary sources. They are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them.
A secondary source is one that was created later by someone who did not experience first-hand or participate in the events or conditions you’re researching. For the purposes of a historical research project, secondary sources are generally books and articles. Also included would be reference sources like encyclopedias.
Secondary sources include:
Textbooks
Magazine articles
Histories
Criticisms
Commentaries
Encyclopedias
Examples of secondary sources:
A journal/magazine article which interprets or reviews previous findings
What is a Primary Source?
A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. Some types of primary sources include:
Examples of primary sources include:
"Whether conducting research in the social sciences, history, arts, or natural sciences, the ability to distinguish between primary and secondary source material is essential..."
Source: Princeton University Library
Learn how to distinguish between primary and secondary source here.
Learn more about primary sources at University of Illinois Library's Primary Village
Go here for list of links to a great variety of primary sources. Includes documents from around the world.
Note: Some resources listed here require username/password from host institution thus you will not be able to access those resources.
What is a secondary source?
Secondary sources interpret and analyze primary sources. They are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them.
A secondary source is one that was created later by someone who did not experience first-hand or participate in the events or conditions you’re researching. For the purposes of a historical research project, secondary sources are generally books and articles. Also included would be reference sources like encyclopedias.
Selected Primary Sources
Historical sound recordings available to the public free of charge.
ASW Library Books
- - -
Good word to know!
agitprop -noun
Political propaganda, especially favoring communism and disseminated through literature, drama, art, or music.