Primary Sources in the Humanities
Primary sources in the humanities and social sciences are original documents created during or shortly after the events they discuss. They document individual experiences, opinions, and observations of events, and allow researchers to understand more about what it was like to live through an event or historical period.
Primary sources can be current or historical; most materials held in the our archives and special collections are primary sources. Learn more about using archives in your research.
EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY SOURCES
- letters or email
- diaries, blogs, memoirs, or autobiographies
- letters
- interviews or oral histories
- photographs
- videos or films
- works of art
- government documents
- personal papers
- newspapers
FINDING PRIMARY SOURCES
Primary sources can be found in the archives, research databases, and online if evaluated carefully. Find research databases and other recommended sources in research by subject or choose one of the following:
Contemporary Sources
Questions & Help
If you have questions on this, or another topic, contact a librarian for help!