1. Primary Secondary & Tertiary Sources

2. Definitions:
Primary Source: It is a first-hand authoritative account of an event, topic or historical event. Anything that contains the original information. Secondary Source: is a second-hand account that interprets, analyzes, critiques and comes to a conclusion from evaluating primary sources. Tertiary Source: is information that is compiled from multiple other sources. Its intended purpose is to re-package existing information to provide an overview on a topic. *Which type of source do you have to avoid using in a formal research paper scenario? (because it weakens your use of logos and definitely undermines your ethos)

3. Examples of Primary Sources
Some examples of original, first-hand, authoritative accounts include:
Letters, diaries, journals, autobiographies or memoirs
(Personal thoughts)
Original photographs
First-hand, eye-witness news reports
Speeches, interviews
Creative works like plays, paintings and songs
First-hand research studies and surveys
Laws, legal documents, etc.

4. Examples of Secondary Sources
Some examples of works that interpret or critique primary sources include:
Scholarly research journals written by an expert
Some news articles
Most textbooks
Essays or reviews
Criticisms or commentaries
HINT: A secondary source will cite the primary sources (the original work) from which they got it.

5. Examples of Tertiary Sources
Some examples of sources that provide an overview, summary or collection of information on a topic include:
Some “news” articles
Almanacs
Bibliographies or abstracts
Wikipedia pages
Encyclopedias
Any Overview Websites: Pro/Con, About, etc.