Anthony wrote:
"The distinction between types of sources can get
tricky, because a
secondary source may also be a primary source. Garry Wills' book about
Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, for example, can looked at as both a
secondary and a primary source. The distinction may depend on how you
are using the source and the nature of your research. If you are
researching Abraham Lincoln, the book would be a secondary source
because WIlls is offering his opinions about Lincoln and the
Gettysburg Address. If your assignment is to write a book review of
Lincoln at Gettysburg, the book becomes a primary source, because you
are commenting, evaluating, and discussing Garry Wills' ideas."
Fortunately, Wikipedia did not exist in 1863. Had you been at
Gettysburg then and writing about it, NOR would have prevented America
from ever hearing about Lincoln's speech. :-)
Ec