Primary vs. Secondary Sources:
What's the Difference?
Primary sources...
Secondary sources...
are uninterpreted sources of information.
allow you to examine evidence firsthand without being affected by other intermediary opinions.
allow you to draw comparisons between your assessments and the conclusions of others.
may be scattered and disorganized.
are sometimes described by their formats (e.g., letters and diaries as opposed to books).
interpret the “primary” literature, or guide readers to the primary material.
make information more accessible by repackaging it in a more accessible form
are far removed from the original event.
are sometimes described by their formats (e.g., books, journals, textbooks, anthologies, etc.)
You might also check out the "What's
A Journal?" Minute Module for the most up-todate
information on distinguishing between different kinds of sources!
For further descriptions of primary resources, see:
