Skip to Main Content
Accessibility Information

HIS 100 - Perspectives in History

Tulsa Massacre, Wounded Knee Occupation, Stonewall Rebellion, Haitian Independence, Philippine Revolution, Iranian Revolution, The Great London Smog, Creation of Earth Day, Chernobyl, Creation of the UN, Act Prohibiting Slavery, Founding of NATO

Primary and Secondary Sources

Having trouble keeping primary and secondary sources straight? The differences are important for this project, so we've gathered some information about each for you below.

What is a Primary Source?

Primary sources are original records created during a time or event in history. Examples include letters, speeches, diaries, autobiographies, newspaper articles, interviews, memoirs, and other original documents or artifacts. Usually, primary sources were created during the time period in question, but sometimes, they could be created long afterwards (as with memoirs or oral histories). Learn more in Shapiro's FAQ on Primary Sources.

What is a Secondary Source?

Secondary sources are resources that were created after the fact, where the authors or creators did not experience the events first-hand but rather interprets or analyzes the primary sources. Usually, for history research, secondary sources are scholarly books and articles.Learn more in Shapiro's FAQ on Secondary Sources.