Primary sources are original, uninterpreted information. Scholars analyze primary sources in order to answer research questions. Examples of primary sources vary by discipline.
Examples in the humanities:
Examples in the social sciences:
Example in the sciences:
Searching Collins Library Primo Search for a novel or play, or for all the works by a specific author, is pretty straightforward:
Searching Collins Library Primo Search for a specific poem or short story by a particular author is a bit trickier:
To find anthologies of literature, try searching Collins Library Primo Search by subject. Here are several models to follow:
American fiction, 21st century.
American poetry, 20th century.
Great Britain -- Literary collections
Sound Ideas, the digital repository for the University of Puget Sound, has digitized recent issues of several student publications:
These databases contain the full text of several literary magazines.
Visual materials, including images, are examples of primary sources. There are many image collections in ARTstor that are pertinent to English Studies, including the Languages and Literature featured group which "highlights ARTstor content related to languages and literature, including images of renowned authors and depictions of literary characters, as well as examples of foreign languages from a variety of cultures around the world."
Learn more about ARTstor collections relevant to Language and Literature.
The Archives & Special Collections collects, preserves, and makes available primary source material documenting life at the University as well as collections representing regional, national and international issues.
A small selection of material is listed below, for additional sources, please contact archives@pugetsound.edu.
Original medieval manuscript leaves and a few facsimiles.
Watts, Isaac, Logic; or, The right use of reason in the inquiry after truth, 1825.
Cobb, Lyman, Cobb's spelling book: being a just standard for pronouncing the English language, 1812.
Bills of Sale for the Purchase of Slaves, 1835, 1837, 1845.
In addition, a small portion of photographs, historical documents, and digitized material are available online. You can also browse archival and manuscript collections as well as rare books in Primo (limit the location to Archives & Special Collections).
The Archives & Special Collections is located on the second floor of the Collins Memorial Library.
Set up an appointment: We are open to researchers by appointment Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. To make an appointment, email archives@pugetsound.edu or book online.
We look forward to assisting you!