English: Writing & Research in the Disciplines: Primary vs. Secondary Sources

A primary source is a "document or physical object" written or created during a time period of study and provides an "insider" view of the time period, event, person, and/or idea.

Examples:

• diaries
• speeches
• manuscripts
• letters
• interviews
• news film footage
• official records
• creative writing (poetry, plays, novels, etc.)
• artwork (photographs, paintings, music, architecture, etc.)

Adapted from: Princeton University Library, Primary vs Secondary Sources, Retrieved January 27, 2015.

A secondary source analyzes and synthesizes primary sources and/or other sources into another body of work.  Secondary sources may contain primary sources, such as direct quotes or images.

Examples:.

• textbooks
• most articles
• histories
• criticisms
• commentaries
• encyclopedias
• biographies                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Adapted from: Princeton University Library, Primary vs Secondary Sources, Retrieved January 27, 2015.