Thanks go to the Belk Library, which serves Appalachian State University, for making and sharing this tutorial. It is available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Primary sources are documents or physical objects which were written or created during the time period you are studying. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event.
Examples:
Original documents—diaries, autobiographies, letters, interviews, official records
Creative works—poetry, drama, literature, music
Relics or artifacts—pottery, furniture, art, clothing, buildings
Secondary sources interpret and analyze primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the primary source event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them.
Examples:
Discussions— textbooks, literary criticisms 
Interpretations — histories, musical performances of others' works
Summaries — encyclopedias, biographies| Primary Sources | Secondary Sources |
|---|---|
| autobiography | biography |
| painting or object of art | article reviewing or criticizing the art |
| personal diary or letters | book about the person or event |
| treaty (government document) | essay interpreting the document |
| poem, novel, short story, etc. | literary criticism of the work |
| first-hand observer account of an event | report on event years later |
| play, film, television show, performance | biography of the writer |
| speech given by a person | commentary on the speech |
| research report by researchers | interpretation of the research |
| photographs | explanation of photographs |
Having trouble finding resources take a look at our general databases below or select View More Results to see our full list of databases.
What's in GIL-Find@EGSC?
- Books & E-books at EGSC & in USG Institutions
What if GIL-Find@EGSC doesn't have what I'm looking for?
-
Change to the University System of Georgia search scope for more results available through GIL Express.
Still Unavailable?
- Send our Library Associate an email and she can request it through Interlibrary Loan.
Need help? See our guide on GIL Express or contact the EGSC Library!