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Primary vs. Secondary Sources
Primary sources are original sources. They give you firsthand information and can involve observing or participating in an activity, interviewing someone who knows about your topic, or reading historical documents or diaries. (See page 353.)
Secondary sources, on the other hand, are not original sources. They provide information that has been gathered by another person, which makes them at least once removed from the original. Secondary sources often analyze, interpret, or evaluate in some way. Most magazines, newspapers, and nonfiction books are considered secondary sources of information
Helpful Hint
A primary source of information can be traced no further than its author. A secondary source can be traced beyond its author to at least one or more other individuals. Both are valid sources for your research.