Introduction to Using Secondary Sources

Review of Primary Sources

• Primary Sources: source that is also your subject of study; the original words or ideas of a writer or researcher; “first-hand” information

• Examples: works of literature, speeches, letters, original research (experiments, surveys, interviews, etc.)

Secondary Sources

• Secondary Sources: sources written by others about primary materials or some other topic; “second-hand” information

• Examples: scholarly books and essays, periodical articles (newspapers, magazines, journals), reputable websites

Using Secondary Sources to “enlarge and refine” your ideas (Barnet, Bellanca, and Stubbs 108).

• Enlarge your ideas– Achieve a greater understanding of your topic and

what others have to say about it – “to show that you have interacted with the scholarly

community surrounding your topic” (IVCC Stylebook, “Documenting Sources”).

• Refine your ideas– Make your essay more insightful and credible– “Without sources, the essay shows only your

interpretation of the topic” (IVCC Stylebook, “Documenting Sources).

– “to support your ideas” and to “show that other scholars share your perspective” (IVCC Stylebook, “Documenting Sources”).

Secondary Sources: Periodicals

• Published periodically (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly)

• Newspapers• Magazines• Journals

Magazines

• Examples: Newsweek, Time, Sports Illustrated, People, etc.

• Coverage: General or specialized• Authors: Staff or guest writers• Readers: General public• Purpose: Make a profit, inform, entertain • Characteristics: Relatively short articles, frequent

pictures, glossy cover• Example

Journals (Peer-Reviewed)

• Examples: Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of the American Medical Association, The Novel, Southern Literary Journal, etc.

• Coverage: Specialized• Authors: Professors, researchers, professionals• Readers: Professional/academic community (including

students)• Purpose: Promote knowledge and scholarship• Characteristics: Lengthy articles, evidence of substantial

research• Example

Essay 3 Secondary Source Requirements

• See Task #3 of the Essay 3 Assignment linked from the course page.

• Essay 3