Primary sources are objects or documents created when an event was taking place or when a study was being performed. These sources present first-hand accounts of the given events.
Primary sources may include:
When searching for primary sources, try adding the following keywords to your search:
Secondary sources are those that were created after an event took place and analyze, interpret, or comment on primary sources. These sources were not present at the time of an event, but will often reference sources that were.
Secondary sources may include:
Primary: Poor Richard's Almanac, by Benjamin Franklin
Secondary: Benjamin Franklin: an American Life, by Walter Isaacson
Primary: Video of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech
Secondary: A magazine article analyzing King's speech
Primary: A Victorian dress on display at a museum
Secondary: A book about Victorian fashion
When determining if something is a primary source, ask yourself the following:
Want to ask someone if your sources are primary or secondary? Contact us!
Need someone to check over your paper? Visit the Writing Studio in McDaniel Hall 220.