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Primary & Secondary Sources: Primary Sources

This guide explains the differences between primary and secondary sources, including how to identify them, the different formats, and finding them.

Definition

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.

Formats

Manuscript

Archives & Manuscripts

Books

Original Works of Fiction

(Novels, poetry, etc.)

Art

Art & Visual Materials

(Paintings, photos, films, plays, etc.)

Data

Data

(Field data, demographics, clinical trials, etc.)

Ephemera (ticket stub, card, luggage tag, etc.)

Ephemera

(Pamphlets, flyers, tickets, etc.)

letter

Letters & Diaries

Declaration of Independence

Government Documents

(Laws, records, treaties, etc.)

Map

Maps

Ancient artifacts

Objects & Artifacts

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Oral Histories & Speeches

Sheet music

Original Music & Recordings

(Artist albums, news broadcasts, radio shows, etc.)

Newspaper

Eyewitness News Articles

(Descriptive— not persuasive or analytical)

Finding Primary Sources