HOW DOES A PRIMARY SOURCE DIFFER FROM A SECONDARY SOURCE?
A secondary source provides an interpretation, explanation, analysis, description or restatement of a primary source. Also, some secondary sources offer an argument or point of view in an effort to persuade. FORMATS OF PRIMARY SOURCES Primary sources are unique documents. Sometimes primary source documents are transcribed, digitized, or printed and then compiled, duplicated (microfilmed or photocopied) or published. Reprinted and reproduced primary source materials may include published diaries, letters, collected speeches, government documents, microfilmed newspaper articles and records of businesses or organizations, and videotapes from documentary film footage. Scanned images of primary sources such as letters, diaries, journals, and photographs frequently appear on the Internet. Below are examples of different kinds of primary source documents that are part of the Manuscript Collections of the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center. The date, creator, and purpose of each document
