chat loading...

Skip to Main Content

Hollins University

My Library Account

My Library Account

FIND
SERVICES
ABOUT US
HELP
Ask the Library

FIND
SERVICES
ABOUT US
HELP
Ask the Library

Library
Course Guides
ENG 207: Creative Histories
What is a primary source?

Search this Guide

ENG 207: Creative Histories

Finding Sources
What is a primary source?
What's a good source?

What are primary sources?

Primary sources are the evidence of history, original records or objects created by participants or observers at the time historical events occurred or even well after events, as in memoirs and oral histories. -- RUSA, a Division of ALA

Some examples:

letters,
manuscripts,
diaries,
journals
newspapers
maps
speeches
interviews
documents produced by government agencies
photographs
audio or video recordings
emails
research data
objects or artifacts (such as works of art or ancient roads, buildings, tools, and weapons)

Some primary sources may be created after an event by people who experienced the event. Some examples:

memoirs
oral histories

Primary Source - Infographic

Infographic by Shonn Haren, Library at Wichita State University

<< Previous: Finding Sources
Next: What's a good source? >>

Last Updated: Oct 19, 2025 9:18 PM
URL: https://libguides.hollins.edu/creative-histories
Print Page

Login to LibApps

Report a problem

Subjects: English