In journalism, a primary source can be a person with direct knowledge of a situation, or a document written by such a person. Generally, accounts written after the fact with the benefit (and possible distortions) of hindsight are secondary. A secondary source may also be a primary source depending on how it is used.
What counts as a primary source?
Primary sources are original materials, regardless of format. Letters, diaries, minutes, photographs, artifacts, interviews, and sound or video recordings are examples of primary sources created as a time or event is occurring.
What makes a primary source unpublished?
Unpublished primary sources are original documents and artifacts of all kinds that were created by individuals but not published (that is, made public –issued in a format that could be widely distributed) during the period you are studying.
What are some examples of primary and secondary sources?
Primary and secondary source examples
| Primary source | Secondary source |
|---|---|
| Photographs of a historical event | Documentary about the historical event |
| Government documents about a new policy | Newspaper article about the new policy |
| Music recordings | Academic book about the musical style |
What are the 5 primary sources?
Examples of Primary Sources
- archives and manuscript material.
- photographs, audio recordings, video recordings, films.
- journals, letters and diaries.
- speeches.
- scrapbooks.
- published books, newspapers and magazine clippings published at the time.
- government publications.
- oral histories.
What are examples of primary and secondary sources?
What is the difference between a primary and secondary source?
While primary sources are the original records created by firsthand witnesses of an event, secondary sources are documents, texts, images, and objects about an event created by someone who typically referenced the primary sources for their information. Textbooks are excellent examples of secondary sources.
What are 5 secondary sources?
Secondary Sources
- Examples: Reports, summaries, textbooks, speeches, articles, encyclopedias and dictionaries.
- Person Reference Material.
- Interview Book.
- E-mail contact DVD.
- Event Encyclopedia.
- Discussion Magazine article.
- Debate Newspaper article.
- Community Meeting Video Tape.
