First Hand and Second Hand Accounts

Firsthand and Secondhand Accounts

Multiple Choice

A firsthand account is based on an author's ____________.

• experience

• opinion

• research

• facts

Multiple Choice

I walked along the river and felt the summer breeze blow against my skin. The water was peaceful and the sound of the birds singing in the trees made me feel at peace.

Is this a first or second hand account?

• firsthand

• secondhand

Multiple Choice

A second hand account is based on an author's _________.

• experience

• opinion

• research

• facts

Multiple Choice

Harry Houdini was a great magician who performed many daring escape acts. He amazed crowds by escaping handcuffs, unlocking chains and surviving impossible situations. He died on Halloween in 1926.

Is this a first or secondhand account?

• firsthand

• secondhand

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT an example of a firsthand account?

• journal

• letter

• interview

• biography

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT an example of a secondhand account?

• journal / diary

• dictionary

• biography

• textbook

Open Ended

How do you know the following text is a firsthand account? Give text evidence!

I walked along the river and felt the summer breeze blow against my skin. The water was peaceful and the sound of the birds singing in the trees made me feel at peace.

Open Ended

How do you know the following text is a secondhand account? Give text details!

Harry Houdini was a great magician who performed many daring escape acts. He amazed crowds by escaping handcuffs, unlocking chains and surviving impossible situations. He died on Halloween in 1926.

Multiple Choice

Choose the answer that would be a firsthand account.

• An article researched and written about the Civil War.

• A picture searched and found on Google.

• A letter written by a slave about the Underground Railroad.

• A textbook about American History.

Multiple Choice

Choose the answer that would be a secondhand account.

• A letter written by Abraham Lincoln.

• A paper researched and written by a college student.

• A journal entry explaining the final moments on the Titanic.

• An interview with a firefighter about the most dangerous fire he's dealt with.