primary source
Original record or account of an event or topic that provides firsthand information. A primary source reflects the individual viewpoint of someone who observed or participated in the event or topic.
See also secondary source, realia.
Additional information
Primary sources include letters, diaries, memoirs, speeches, interviews, manuscripts, articles, photographs, audio or video recordings, works of art, maps, tools, documents produced by government agencies, and research data.
Examples and resources
“Reading primary sources: An introduction to students” is a step-by-step guide from LEARN NC for students examining primary sources.
