What is a primary source?

What is a primary source?

• A. A secondary analysis by a historian
• B. A first-hand account or original document, such as a diary or photograph
• C. A modern textbook summary
• D. A fictional novel

Answer: (B)

A primary source is a first-hand account or original document created at the time of an event or by someone who experienced it. Examples include a diary, a photograph, a letter, an official record, a speech, or an artifact. Because it comes directly from the source, it preserves details, context, and perspectives that later researchers interpret from other materials. This direct, original evidence is why it best fits the definition of a primary source and is most valuable for understanding what happened and how people experienced it.

A secondary analysis by a historian interprets and explains primary sources rather than presenting the original material itself. A modern textbook summary condenses and interprets information from various sources. A fictional novel is a narrative created by an author; while it can offer insight into themes or cultural attitudes, it is not an original record of real events.