Is an autobiography a primary source?
An autobiography is a primary source. Authors of autobiographies are direct witnesses of the events and time described in the narration. Even though autobiographies are usually written after these events happened, they are still categorized as primary sources given the first-hand information, like letters or photographs, they provide.
➡️ What is a secondary source?
➡️ Is a letter a primary source?
For example, The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank documents her life in hiding from 1942 to 1944 and is one of the world’s most famous autobiographies. This book, although edited, provides direct evidence of Anne Frank's experiences and is, therefore, considered a primary source.
On the other hand, fictional autobiographies are not primary sources in the same sense as legitimate autobiographies. These would be secondary sources when compared to real autobiographies. However, if your research was about fictional biographies and the focus was on their literary interpretation, then they could be primary sources.
How to cite an autobiography
The citation style used will determine the exact citation format. This is how you would cite a 1993 edition of the Anne Frank autobiography in APA:
Frank, A. (1993). Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl (B. M. Mooyaart, Trans.). Bantam; Reissue edition.
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Frequently Asked Questions about autobiographies as primary sources
🥈 Is an autobiography a secondary source?
No, an autobiography is a primary source. Authors of autobiographies are direct witnesses of the events and time described in the narration.
🚶🏽♂️ Is a Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela a primary source?
Yes, a Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela is a primary source.
🔔 Is The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin a primary source?
Yes, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin is a primary source.
🏳️ Is The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Gandhi a primary source?
Yes, the Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi is a primary source.
🦜 is I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou a primary source?
Yes, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is a primary source.
