2. What is a Primary Source?
A primary source is a document or object written
or created during the time that is being studied.
These sources were present during a certain time
period and offer an insightful view of a particular
event.
3. Types of Primary Sources
Some types of primary sources include:
Original documents: Diaries, speeches, manuscripts,
letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies,
official records. For example, Anna Frank’s diary.
Creative works: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art.
Relics or artifacts: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings.
Adapted from http://www.princeton.edu/~refdesk/primary2.html
4. How do I know it is a Primary
Source?
Authors
How does the author know what he/she knows?
Does his/her knowledge stem from personal
experience or having witnessed an event?
Does the author cite several other (published) reports?
5. Content
Why is the information being provided or the article written?
Are there references to other writings on this topic?
Currency/Timeliness
Is the date of publication evident?
Is the date of publication close to the event described?
Adapted from: http://www.library.illinois.edu/ugl/howdoi/primarysources.html
6. Choosing the right ones
When choosing primary sources for your investigation,
keep the following questions in mind:
Interest – What is the topic of the primary source? Is it
something that can relate to your investigation?
Variety of Sources – How many sources can you
find related to the topic in question? Journal entries,
newspaper articles, political cartoons, speeches.
Accessibility – How easy is it to access the
documents? Can you obtain them online?
7. Length – How long will it take you to read and analyze
the document?
Varied Perspectives – Am I being objective? Am I
using enough sources to show different
perspectives?
Intended Purpose – How will you be using the
document in your research? Is the document useful to
that purpose?
8. Where to get these Sources?
Article and Newspaper Databases – NY Times
Local Archive Sources – Museums
Public Web Sources – Universities
9. Contact me
Google Plus: The History Site
www.plus.google.com/117182091731551122435/about
Twitter: @wargirl007
Facebook: Visionaire Consultants
www.facebook.com/pages/Visionaire-
Consultants/107318799323079?fref=ts
Website: www.mjguerra.com
E-mail: janieguerra@gmail.com