Analyzing Firsthand and Secondhand Accounts

Q. FROM "THE OREGON TRAIL"

Is this passage a firsthand or secondhand account? How do you know?

• It is a firsthand account because they use facts about the event.

• It is a firsthand account because the writer experienced the event.

• It is a secondhand account because the writer did not experience the event. They are giving facts about the event.

• It is a secondhand account because the passage has emotion.

Q. FROM "ACROSS THE PLAINS IN 1844"

Is this passage a firsthand or secondhand account? How do you know?

• It is a firsthand account because they were not there to experience the event.

• It is a secondhand account because the writer uses emotion to describe the event.

• It is a firsthand account because the speaker experienced the event.

• It is a secondhand account because the writer includes facts about the Oregon Trail.

Q. BOTH ACCOUNTS

How are both passages similar?

• Both accounts are about the risks and suffering on the Oregon Trail.

• Both accounts tell the story of someone who was on the Oregon Trail.

• Both accounts tell how the speaker felt about the Oregon Trail.

• Both accounts are in third person.

Q. FROM "ACROSS THE PLAINS IN 1844"

What is the point of view of this passage? How do you know?

• It is written in first person because the author uses the pronouns "he", "she" and "they".

• It is written in third person because the author uses the pronouns "I", "we" and "us".

• It is written in first person because the author uses the pronouns "I", "we" and "us".

• It is written in third person because the author uses the pronouns "I", "we" and "us".

Q. FROM "THE OREGON TRAIL"

What is the author's point of view in this passage? How do you know?

• It is written in first person because the author uses the pronouns "I", "we" and "us".

• It is written in third person because the author uses the pronouns "their"

• It is written in third person because the author uses "I", "we" and "us"

• It is written in second person because the author is addressing the reader.

Q. FROM "THE OREGON TRAIL"

Where might you find this type of passage?

• a diary

• a personal story

• an interview

• a history textbook

Q. FROM BOTH PASSAGES

What is one difference between "The Oregon Trail" and "Across the Plains in 1844"?

• "The Oregon Trail" is a firsthand account and "Across the Plains in 1844" is a secondhand account.

• "Across the Plains in 1844" is a secondhand account and "The Oregon Trail" is a diary entry.

• "The Oregon Trail" is a firsthand account and "Across the Plains in 1844" is from a history textbook.

• "Across the Plains in 1844" is a firsthand account and "The Oregon Trail" is a secondhand account.

Q. FROM "ACROSS THE PLAINS IN 1844"

What type of source is this passage an example of?

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

Q. FROM BOTH PASSAGES

What is one difference between "The Oregon Trail" and "Across the Plains in 1844"?

• "The Oregon Trail" gives general information and facts about the event. "Across the Plains in 1844" tells the story of one girl's experience on the Oregon Trail.

• "Across the Plains" gives facts about the Oregon Trail and the other passage does not.

• "The Oregon Trail" is about one personal story and "Across the Plains" gives facts about the Oregon Trail.

• "The Oregon Trail" has emotion and "Across the Plains in 1844" does not.