What are primary sources,how to choose the appropriate ones for your investigation.

1. Choosing
Primary Sources
Mary Jane Guerra
The History Site

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