Secondary sources put primary sources in context. They summarize, interpret, analyze, or comment on information found in primary sources. Secondary sources are usually written by individuals who did not experience firsthand the events about which they are writing.
Common Examples of SECONDARY Sources: Biographies, monographs, journal articles, dissertations, theses, essays and encyclopedia articles.
Primary vs. Secondary sources
| Discipline |
Primary Source |
Secondary Source |
| History |
Slave diary |
Book about the underground railroad |
| Art |
Original artwork created by an artist |
Article critiquing the piece of art |
| Literature |
Original poem written by a poet |
Essay on a particular genre of poetry |
| Political Science |
Treaty between two governments |
Essay on Native American land rights in the US |
| Science or Social Sciences |
Report of an original experiment |
Review of several studies on the same topic |
| Theatre |
Videotape of a performance |
Biography of a playwright |
Table courtesy of http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/library/assistance/page41012.html