What is a secondary source?

A secondary source is a document or work that analyzes, interprets, or critiques primary sources. This type of source is created after the event or topic has occurred and often synthesizes various primary sources to offer a broader understanding of the subject. Secondary sources can include textbooks, articles, reviews, and biographies that provide commentary and contextualization of original material.

In contrast, firsthand accounts or factual records from eyewitnesses are classified as primary sources, as they provide direct evidence of an event. Direct quotes derive from primary sources and do not constitute a secondary perspective. Therefore, options that describe primary sources do not fit the definition of a secondary source and highlight the identifying characteristics of primary sources instead.