What is the term for a document that was created at the time of an event by someone who was there?

A primary source is a document or record containing firsthand information or original data on an event, object, person, or work of art. Primary sources are usually created by individuals who experienced the event and recorded or wrote about it. Because of this, primary sources usually reflect the viewpoint of the participant or observer. 

Examples of primary sources include:

  • Original research studies have a hypothesis, methods, results and a discussion/conclusion
  • Letters
  • Diaries
  • Memoirs
  • Speeches
  • Photographs
  • Oral Histories
  • Pamphlets
  • Newspapers written at the time of the event
  • Manuscripts
  • Official recordings of a business, including financial ledgers and labor files
  • Maps
  • Court Cases
  • Artifacts
  • Patents
  • Play or Short story
  • Audio or Video recordings
  • Census Figures
  • Opinion Polls

Determining whether or not something is a primary source depends on the topic you are researching. Primary sources are almost always produced in the time period you are researching.

For example, newspaper articles can be both primary and secondary sources. A newspaper article that recounts the events of the Battle of Gettysburg would be a primary source if it was printed in July of 1863, which is when the battle occurred. A newspaper today could do a story on the Battle of Gettysburg, but because it is so far removed from the event, it wouldn't be considered a primary source.

Primary sources are original materials created or produced during the time under study. 

These raw materials have not been interpreted, filtered, or evaluated. 

Primary sources enable the reader to make their own interpretations about the event, without having to rely on what has already been written on the topic. 

They present original thinking, report a discovery, or share new information. 

A primary source reflects an individual viewpoint from a participant or observer.

- When searching for primary sources, it is often beneficial to look at the bibliography of a secondary source. 

- Secondary sources are interpretations of primary sources. 

- They are materials created by someone who did not experience the event first hand or participate in the event. 

- Secondary sources are written after the fact and have the benefit of hindsight.

- Viewing the bibliographies of secondary sources is an excellent way to track down relevant primary sources on a specific topic. 

I. Primary Sources - original documents or artifacts created during the time period being studied. They often include first-hand or eyewitness accounts or have an inside view of a particular event.

Original Documents include:  advertisements, artwork, autobiographies, diaries, government documents (bills, laws, congressional hearings, etc.), interviews, letters, newspaper articles, official records, oral histories, photographs, posters, raw research data, speeches, etc.

A PRIMARY SOURCE is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event. Some types of primary sources include:

  • ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (excerpts or translations acceptable): Diaries, speeches, oral histories, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official record, newspaper ads/stories
  • CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art, photographs
  • RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings

Examples of primary sources include:

  • Diary of Anne Frank - Experiences of a Jewish family during WWII
  • The Constitution of Canada - Canadian History
  • A journal article reporting NEW research or findings
  • Weavings and pottery - Native American history
  • Plato's Republic - Women in Ancient Greece

A SECONDARY SOURCE interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them. Some types of seconday sources include:

  • PUBLICATIONS: Textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopedias 

Examples of secondary sources include:

  • A journal/magazine article which interprets or reviews previous findings
  • A history textbook
  • A book about the effects of WWI
  • An exhibit or diagram depicting an interpretation of a historical event, person, articfact, etc.

Information courtesy of Princeton University Libraries - http://www.princeton.edu/~refdesk/primary2.html

What is another term for a document created at the time of an event or by a person who was present at a historical event?

A PRIMARY SOURCE is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event.

What is a source recorded at the time of an event called?

Definition of a Primary Source: A primary source is most often created during the time the events you are studying occurred, such as newspaper articles from the period, correspondence, diplomatic records, original research reports and notes, diaries etc.

What is the name for a source that was written or created at the time?

A primary source is a work that was created or written contemporary with the period or subject being studied. Secondary sources analyze or interpret historical events or creative works.

What is a document or written work created after an event?

secondary source. a document or written work created after an event.

What do you call the sources that are produced at the same time as the event studied period or subject being studied?

What is a Primary Source. Primary sources include documents or artifacts created by a witness to or participant in an event. They can be firsthand testimony or evidence created during the time period that you are studying.

What kind of source was created by people who lived when an event took place?

A primary source provides direct or firsthand evidence about an event, object, person, or work of art. Primary sources provide the original materials on which other research is based and enable students and other researchers to get as close as possible to what actually happened during a particular event or time period.