Primary & Secondary Sources

By Kyle Lavender

Primary Sources

A primary source is an original document, free from manipulation or alteration. These sources were from the original event.

Primary SourcesDiaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews,

official records, poetry, novels, music, art, pottery, clothing and even entire buildings

Secondary Sources

A secondary source interprets and analyzes a primary source. They are usually removed from that period of time and reflect upon the events that occurred.

Secondary SourcesTextbooks, magazine articles, commentaries,

encyclopedias, a piece of artwork depicting a historical event

Examples of each

Primary The Declaration of

Independence

The Diary of Anne Frank

Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech

The Mona Lisa

Secondary School textbooks

An article reviewing past findings

Novels written about past world wars

Documentaries highlighting past events

The Declaration of Independence

Primary Source Secondary Source

World War II

Primary Secondary