Research Guides: English Research: Primary Sources

Primary Sources

What are primary sources?

Primary sources are materials that offer original data or perspectives on a particular time or place. They are usually written close to the period in question, but can sometimes be retrospective reflections by firsthand witnesses. Examples include: Diaries, Novels, Music, Film, Newspaper Articles, Artworks, Autobiographies, Government Records, Speeches, Correspondence, Photographs, and more.

How do I find them?

Use keywords like "sources" or the type of primary source you're looking for
- For instance "American History Sources" or "African American Women Diaries, 20th Century"
Look in the subject headings for words like "autobiography," "correspondence," "congresses," or "personal narratives"
Filter by content type such as "Newspaper Article," "Magazine Article," "Pamphlet," or "Government Document"

Search for Primary Sources

These databases are good starting points for finding relevant primary sources:

Litfinder
Provides access to a wealth of literary works and secondary-source materials covering world literature and authors throughout history. Includes more than 150,000 full-text poems and over 800,000 poetry citations, as well as short stories, speeches, and plays.
Shakespeare in Performance
Shakespeare in Performance showcases rare and unique prompt books from the world-famous Folger Shakespeare Library. These prompt books tell the story of Shakespeare's plays as they were performed in theatres throughout Great Britain, the United States and internationally, between the seventeenth and twentieth centuries.
Primary Source Databases
A list of databases available at UCCS that include primary sources.

Kraemer Family Library

English Research

Subject Librarian

Primary Sources

What are primary sources?

How do I find them?

Search for Primary Sources