Firsthand vs Secondhand Account

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 firsthand or secondhand account?

• firsthand

• secondhand

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 firsthand or secondhand account?

• firsthand

• secondhand

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

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.

• It uses he, she, or specific names.

• It uses words like river, breeze and trees.

• It uses the word I to show the author is there.

• It is based on the author's research about rivers.

Which is NOT an example of a secondhand account?

• Journal

• Biography

• Encyclopedia

• Textbook

What account is based off personal experience?

• Firsthand Account

• Secondhand Account

In 1843, thousands of people began traveling across America to the open lands of the West. Most of these people followed a path known as the Oregon Trail. Pioneers set out from towns along the Missouri River in the Midwest. They made a 2,000 mile trek to their new homes in California and Oregon. Some traveled in covered wagons. Others were on foot or horseback. The route was filled with danger and hardship.

This passage is a _________________________.

• firsthand account

• secondhand account

What type of account was the author personally there to experience the event.

• Firsthand Account

• Secondhand Account

Choice the answer that would be a firsthand account.

• An article researched and written about the Civil War.

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

• A picture searched and found on Google.

• A textbook about American History.

What is an example of a firsthand account?

• a newspaper article about the president visiting a local elementary school

• a letter written by someone who saw their house destroyed by a tornado

• a nonfiction book about the sinking of the Titanic

• a science textbook

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

• experience

• research

• opinion

• facts