Library DIY

A primary source is an original document or firsthand account created at the time of an event or by someone directly involved. It provides direct evidence without interpretation or analysis. These sources offer unique insights into historical, cultural, or social contexts.

Examples of primary sources:  

• Published materials: Novels, poems, plays, research study data, autobiographies, speeches, and eyewitness accounts in newspapers, tweets, magazines, or blogs.  
• Unpublished materials: Personal letters, diaries, journals, wills, deeds, and family histories.  
• Interviews and recordings: Conversations or recordings from people who directly experienced the events.  
• Visual and physical artifacts: Photographs, films, paintings, coins, clothing, tombstones, maps, pamphlets, posters, laws, and court decisions.