What type of source is considered primary?

A primary source is an original document or record created at the time of the events being studied. It provides firsthand evidence and insight into the subject matter. An original speech written by a historical figure is considered a primary source because it is an unmediated account of the figure’s thoughts, intentions, and circumstances during that particular period. This allows researchers and historians to gain a direct understanding of the historical context, motivations, and perspectives without any interpretation or analysis applied by later historians or commentators.

In contrast, a textbook summarizing historical events, a documentary analyzing trends, or a modern novel based on historical events involve interpretation, synthesis, or fictionalization of the original events, making them secondary sources rather than primary.