Primary Sources are raw data; original sources of information before it has been analyzed.
- Characteristics in film studies as noted by Professor Thompson are: "the film itself or other materials representing the attitudes of the era including promotional advertisements, posters, pamphlets, images, manuscripts, poll of cinematographers, articles from contemporaneous magazines, newspapers as well as interviews with the directors, screenwriters or movie personnel and the like."
Secondary Sources are sources that analyze or interpret primary data. They do not offer new evidences.
- Characteristics are interpretations of information, written after the event, offer review or critique. Some examples are biographies, journal articles, textbooks, commentaries, editorials and literary criticisms. As stated by Professor Thompson, "books, magazines, Internet, newspapers, or other readings of research conducted by someone other than the student."
If you'd like more information, please refer to the handout above; you may also want to watch the video below.
