ENGL 161 Cultures of Desire

Primary vs Secondary Sources

Primary Sources

What is a Primary Source?

A primary source is...

  • An original creation in the arts
  • A first-hand testimony or direct evidence created by participants or observers of a historical event or time period
  • Scientific data that has yet to be interpreted or analyzed or the original publication in which a finding appears

Primary sources are characterized by their content, not their format. Therefore, you may use:

  • A photograph found online or in a book or the original photograph
  • A story published in its first or its fifth edition, in translation, or online

You may use the following types of primary sources in English 161:

  • Fictional stories
  • Poetry
  • Myths and folktales
  • Religious texts
  • Autobiographies and memoirs
  • Diaries or journals
  • Letters or other manuscripts
  • Speeches, interviews and oral histories
  • Photographs * other visual arts
  • Music
  • Video or motion picture recordings
  • Performance art
  • Erotica
  • Popular culture artifacts 

Secondary Sources

What is a Secondary Source?

A Secondary Source is:

  • Secondary sources are publications about another text, creator, or an event. They are generally written or produced by individuals not involved directly with the creation or the event.
  • Secondary sources can be articles, books, documentaries, biographies or other kinds of texts.
  • Secondary sources are usually written by outside experts who have researched the primary source or the event and and who are reexamining, interpreting and forming their own conclusions.

For More on Primary Sources

Related Guides

For much more information and for leads to finding primary sources, check out the GRC Subject Guide: