History 502 -- Krivulskaya

These are some possible categories/formats of materials you might find. Of course, technologies available at the time of the event will determine some categories: Film newsreels are not going to be found if you are searching the Dark Ages! 

Print 

• Newspapers
• Memoir
• Diary or diaries
• Letters (note the term 'Correspondence' is the LoC subject heading subdivision) 
• Maps
• Personal narrative (this is a LoC subject heading subdivision)
• Journal (not the scholarly publication, but more like a diary) 
• Government reports and publications
• Oral history transcriptions

Image or sound file

• Photographs/slides/prints
• Paintings or drawings (may be a high-resolution photograph) 
• Newsreels 
• Television shows
• Newscasts
• Music recordings and videos
• Oral history recordings

Realia (objects) 

• Artwork
• Buildings
• Toys and games 
• Clothing
• Furniture
• Souvenirs
• Scrapbooks
• Ephemera (items created for short-term or one-time use such as flyers, brochures, ticket stubs)

In many cases, social media can be considered a primary source, but must be evaluated carefully.

What is the source?

• An original post
• A repost
• Comments
• Hashtag results
• A profile

Is it a primary source?

• Whose voice is this?
• When was it created?

What is the source itself?

• Is it a clip from original footage? One photo that is part of a larger collection? A soundbite from a video?
• Can you get to the original source? Do you have permission to use it?

Document it.

• Get screenshots, links, creator names and any other relevant information.

Evaluate it.

• Is the source reliable?
• What bias exists?

Source: Robin M. Katz, Evaluating Primary Sources Online: Social Media