Research Guides: National History Day 2025-2026: Revolution, Reaction, Reform: Research Tips

Quick Tips

TIP: What Makes Material a Primary Source
Original documents like diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, contemporary newspaper articles, autobiographies, official records, pamphlets, meeting notes, photographs, and contemporary sketches. Creative works such as Poetry, drama, novels, music, art, and even
Relics or artifacts like Furniture, clothing, buildings are primary sources
TIP: Secondary Sources Can lead you to Primary Sources
If you are struggling to find primary source material, look at your secondary sources! Most will included footnotes, endnotes, bibliographies, or historical notes that share where they found their information. This is a great way to find relevant material for your projects.

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