HST 300 Primary and Secondary Sources

A Secondary source is defined as:  A source that discusses a prior event from an academic or research or layperson perspective.  The key here is that the resource is from some time after the event. 

An example of this would be a book:

• about the American Civil War or
• an article in a journal publication discussing the importance of the Battle of Gettysburg. 

A book will NOT typically be a primary resource unless it is a compilation of letters or diary entries or documents.  

Let's try some library resources to locate secondary sources.  Click on a side tab to begin