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| A '''source text''' is [[text]] (usually written but sometimes oral) from which information or ideas are derived. | | A '''source text''' is [[text]] (usually written but sometimes oral) from which information or ideas are |
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| In [[historiography]], distinctions are commonly made between three kinds of source texts:
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| *'''[[Primary source]] texts''' are first-hand written evidence of history made at the time of the event by someone who was present. Examples include [[diary|diaries]], correspondence and [[newspapers]]. While primary source texts are generally considered to be those penned [[contemporary|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 source|primary sources]] may also be evidence that is not written or textual, such as archaeological findings: pottery, coins, walls...
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| *'''[[Secondary source|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.
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| *'''[[Tertiary source|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 [[Encyclopedia|encyclopedias]] and [[Textbook|textbooks]].
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| ==See also:==
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| *[[Text]]
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| *[[Source#Information]]
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| *[[Primary source]]
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| *[[Secondary source]]
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| *[[Tertiary source]]
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| *[[Historiography]] and [[History]]
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| *[[Wikisource]]
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| ==External links:==
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| *'''[[:s:|Wikisource]]''' – ''The Free Library'' – is the [[Wikimedia]] project that collects, edits, and catalogues source texts.
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| [[Category:Historiography]] [[Category:Library and information science]]
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Revision as of 21:14, 25 March 2006
A source text is text (usually written but sometimes oral) from which information or ideas are