What are Primary Sources, and how do I find and cite them?
Answer
Defining
A primary source is original material from a time period or event that does not contain any interpretation or analysis by later authors. Common primary source materials include speeches, letters, diaries, or images, but can also include social commentary such as newspaper or magazine articles from the time period of the original event.
Finding
See our Primary Sources guide for helpful suggestions on where to search for primary source materials.
Citing
Primary sources are cited just as other sources. If you need help citing your work, check out the Citing Sources guide. We also have an interactive tutorial Citing Your Sources and Creative Works that will help you understand why sources need to be cited.