Template:Source text

A source text is text (usually written but sometimes oral) from which information or ideas are derived.

In historiography, distinctions are commonly made between three kinds of source texts:

• Primary source texts are first-hand written evidence of history made at the time of the event by someone who was present. Examples include diaries, correspondence and newspapers. While primary source texts are generally considered to be those penned contemperanously with the events described some also include in this category reminicences or texts set down at a later date by those who lived through the events described. These however may have less historical validity due to faulty memory or a desire to rewrite history. Note that other first-hand, primary sources may also be evidence that is not written or textual, such as archaeological findings: pottery, coins, walls...

• Secondary sources are written accounts of history based upon the evidence from primary sources. For example a history book drawing upon diary and newspaper records.

• Tertiary sources are compilations based upon primary and secondary sources. These are often meant to present known information in a convenient form with no claim to originality. Common examples are encyclopedias and textbooks.

See also:

• Text
• Source#Information
• Primary source
• Secondary source
• Tertiary source
• Historiography and History
• Wikisource

External links:

• Wikisource – The Free Library – is the Wikimedia project that collects, edits, and catalogues source texts.