What is a primary source?

• A. A document or object created during the time under study
• B. A modern encyclopedia article
• C. A secondary analysis
• D. A fictional diary created later

Answer: (A)

A primary source is a document or object created during the time under study, providing direct evidence about the topic. Because it comes from the period itself, it preserves original details, perspectives, and context that later interpretations build upon. Examples include letters, diaries, government records, photographs, and artifacts. In contrast, a modern encyclopedia article is a secondary source that summarizes and interprets information from primary sources, a secondary analysis explicitly evaluates or interprets those sources, and a fictional diary created later isn’t an actual record from the period. Therefore, the document or object produced during the time being studied best fits the definition of a primary source.