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Library Lesson: Primary Sources

What You Will Learn

These artifacts will be great primary sources for my research on Egypt!

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

  • Determine the the difference between primary and secondary sources

Check audio on your computer or have headphones ready.

Local Collections

Local Resources

Primary and Secondary Sources

Primary Sources

What Are Primary Source and Secondary Sources?

Primary sources are the evidence of history, original records or objects created by participants or observers at the time historical events occured or even well after events.

Secondary sources describe, discuss, interpret, comment upon, analyze, evaluate, summarize, and process primary sources.

The Difference Between Primary and Secondary Sources

video icon image 
Click the link below to watch a video from the Morris Library at Southern Illinois University to learn more about the difference between primary and secondary sources.