Primary sources are first-hand accounts of an event, by people who had directly experienced that event.
- Primary sources can be find both in SCOUT, our archives, and in some of our library's databases.
- Primary sources come in many formats - the interactive graphic below provides some excellent examples.
What is NOT a Primary Source?
Here's a list of sources you may encounter, which, while helpful and useful for researching aspects of your topic, are NOT considered Primary Source materials. Remember, if you have a questions about whether something counts as a Primary Source, your instructor has the final word (although a Librarian can certainly provide advice!).
- A dictionary or encyclopedia article (these are sometimes referred to as "background" sources, since they provide an overview, or background, on a given topic, without the depth needed for a research paper).
- A textbook that contains data or information drawn from primary sources.
- Any NON-eyewitness account that relies on information from other people or sources.
- An account that includes an opinion of what the writer believes occurred during an event, or an assessment of what the writer feels is the influence/legacy/meaning of the event, by a writer who was NOT present at the event in question.
- A magazine or newspaper account summarizing the event. HOWEVER: depending on the event you are researching, newspaper articles can provide an indication of how the event was viewed at the time, such as how a speech or decision made by leaders was received, how the general public reacted to a given event, or how a community or group was affected by the event.
Click on each of the categories to see examples of primary sources.
