A primary source is
· An original document or item created at the time of an event or shortly thereafter.
· A written text, an image, an artifact, or even a building!
· Written or created by people who were participants or observers during an event.
· Not modified or interpreted by a second person or agency.
A secondary source is
· A book, document, or item based on primary sources.
· Information collected and interpreted by a second person or agency.
A tertiary source is
· A book, document, or item based on secondary sources.
· Information collected and re-interpreted by a third person or agency.
Key to recognizing a primary source...was it created at the time?
Main thing to remember: the item needed to be created at the time.