Douglas D. Schumann Library & Learning Commons: ENGL 2200 (Prof. Coughlin): Primary vs. Secondary Sources

What Are Primary Sources?

Primary source materials provide "eyewitness" accounts of a particular person, era, or event that is under study. Such materials may include books, maps, diaries, manuscripts, letters, artwork, contemporary newspaper articles, advertising, photographs, films, and recordings.

Wentworth Find Primary Sources How-To Guide

Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Sources

Credo Instruct Video: Primary and Secondary Sources

Digital Humanities and Government Repositories

DPLA - Digital Public Library of America
Digital collections of libraries, archives and museums. Includes photos, manuscripts, books, sound recordings, moving images and more.
Hathi Trust
Full text pre-1923 books, journal articles, government publications, and other sources.
Internet Archive
Digital collections from libraries, archives and museums.Includes digital library offering access to books, images, movies, music and more.
Library of Congress
Largest library in the world, with books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its digital collections. Good site for political cartoons.