Primary sources are records and material that are original, direct, first-hand evidence recorded at the time of an event, or are original creative works.
Secondary sources are works that provide information about another work or a past event. They can be overviews, analyses, interpretations, reviews, generalizations, and critical studies.
Sometimes, whether something is considered a primary or a secondary source depends on how you're using it. For instance, Animal Farm by George Orwell would be your primary source if you are writing a paper on the novel. However, it would be a secondary source if you are doing a study on the Russian Revolution and Stalin, and use the novel to support a point.
Here are some easier examples to get you started before you delve into the different formats of primary sources:
Subject |
Primary Source |
Secondary Source |
---|---|---|
Art History | Painting, photo, film, play | Critical review of the art |
History | Diary, letter, census data | Book about effects of historical events on local cultures |
Literature | Novel, poem, screenplay | Essay analyzing the author's message |
Nursing | Clinical trial, case study, X-ray | Clinical care notes |
Political Science | Treaty, law, presidential communication | Textbook chapter on diplomacy |
These secondary sources are works about the primary sources.