essay with secondary sources

Many undergraduate English essays do not require extensive use of secondary sources. Critical editions of literary works, the library stacks, online indexes and subject guides should yield plenty with which to work. Finding good secondary sources is, of course, only a first step. The second step is to use them properly.

What is a secondary source? A secondary source is anything that describes, interprets, evaluates, or analyzes information from primary sources. Common examples include: Books, articles and documentaries that synthesize information on a topic; Synopses and descriptions of artistic works; Encyclopedias and textbooks that summarize information and ideas; Reviews and essays that evaluate or ...

A secondary source, then, is a source that has also done analysis of the same (or a similar) topic. You will then use this source to discuss how it relates to your argument about the primary source. A secondary source is a mediary between you and the primary source. Secondary sources can also help your credibility as a writer; when you use them ...

Citing a source within a source (citing a secondary source) is generally acceptable within academic writing as long as these citations are kept to a minimum. You should use a secondary source only if you are unable to find or retrieve the original source of information. However, if you need to cite a source within a source, follow the ...

Knowing the difference between primary and secondary sources will help you determine what types of sources you may need to include in your research essay. In general, primary sources are original works (original historical documents, art works, interviews, etc.), while secondary sources contain others' insights and writings about those ...

Primary sources are sources that were created or written during the time period in which they reference and can include things like diaries, letters, films, interviews, and even results from research studies. Secondary sources are sources that analyze primary sources in some way and include things like magazine and journal articles that analyze ...

A primary source gives you direct access to the subject of your research. Secondary sources provide second-hand information and commentary from other researchers. Examples include journal articles, reviews, and academic books. A secondary source describes, interprets, or synthesises primary sources. Primary sources are more credible as evidence ...

Secondary Sources. When you're searching for secondary source material to support your claims, you want to keep some basic ideas in mind: ... Before you make your final decisions about the sources you'll use in your argumentative essay, it's important to review the following pages and take advantage of the helpful source credibility ...

You are entitled to use or reject secondary material as you wish. You can introduce material from a secondary text in order to support a particular interpretation which you are making (i.e. you agree with what the critic has said). Alternatively, you could quote from a secondary text and then take issue with the opinion it represents/contains ...

Cite secondary sources sparingly—for instance, when the original work is out of print, unavailable, or available only in a language that you do not understand. If possible, as a matter of good scholarly practice, find the primary source, read it, and cite it directly rather than citing a secondary source. For example, rather than citing an ...

1. Introduction. Whether conducting research in the social sciences, humanities (especially history), arts, or natural sciences, the ability to distinguish between primary and secondary source material is essential. Basically, this distinction illustrates the degree to which the author of a piece is removed from the actual event being described, informing the reader as to whether the author is ...

The function of secondary sources is to interpret, analyze, critique and comment on primary sources. Thus, they can be described as at least one step removed from the event or original work. Secondary source materials are usually in the form of published works such as journal articles or books, but may include radio or television documentaries ...

TIP: In addition to being secondary sources of the type you might use in a research essay, many of the pieces excerpted in the "Critical Contexts" chapters draw on other secondary sources. Look over these pieces to see what kinds of sources professional literary critics use and how they use them. For example, Lawrence R. Rodgers's essay on "A Rose for Emily" (ch. 12) makes use of information ...

Common examples of secondary sources include academic books, journal articles, reviews, essays, and textbooks. Anything that summarizes, evaluates or interprets primary sources can be a secondary source. If a source gives you an overview of background information or presents another researcher's ideas on your topic, it is probably a secondary ...

The three labels for information sources in this category are, respectively, primary sources, secondary sources, and tertiary sources. Here are examples to illustrate the first- handedness, second-handedness, and third-handedness of information: J.D. Salinger's novel Catcher in the Rye.

A secondary source is one that was created later by someone that did not experience firsthand or participate in the events in which the author is writing about. Secondary sources often summarize, interpret, analyze or comment on information found in primary sources. Common examples of secondary sources include: Books; Biographies; Essays ...

A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may contain pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources. Some types of secondary source include: Textbooks; journal articles; histories; criticisms; commentaries; encyclopedias ...

Primary sources are crucial for original research and firsthand evidence, while secondary sources are helpful for analysis, interpretation, and contextualization. Researchers often begin with secondary sources to gain an overview of the topic before delving into primary materials to deepen their understanding and develop original insights.

Artifacts: pottery, buildings, clothing, weapons, jewelry, etc. Primary sources are created during the time the event took place, or created later by those who have directly witnessed what they are describing, and bring us as close to the original event or thought as possible without being filtered, influenced or analyzed through interpretation.

Secondary sources are vital components of this quest, providing insights, interpretations, and analyses that help shape and strengthen your argument. 1. Libraries and Archives. University and Public Libraries: These repositories house a vast collection of books, journals, periodicals, and other publications.

Secondary Sources. Secondary Sources are written after something has happened and has the benefit of hindsight. This information includes interpretations and evaluations of primary information. Examples of secondary sources include: a critique of a poem, play, or piece of literature; a history book based on primary historical sources

***Category 2 essays are the same as category 1, but they analyze works not written in English*** ... as appropriate, some secondary sources for historical context, and some comparative element to the discussion: Category 3. Students should give a focused analysis of the texts being considered. The approach should be balanced, coherently argued ...

A great place to start searching for secondary sources in USC Libraries' main database search. Develop keywords related to your historical topic to search academic databases for secondary sources. It is helpful to think of the who, what, when, and where of your historical research topic.