Firsthand Accounts
What is a firsthand account?
An account written by an eyewitness to the event. The author was actually at the event.
What is a secondhand account?
An account written by someone who was not present at the event. The author either heard about the event or read about it.
What type of account is this: firsthand or secondhand?
Dear Diary,
Today was a busy and most joyful day! The harvest is finished at last, and everyone in our little town of Plymouth has been helping prepare a great feast.
Firsthand Account
A Snowy Night Surprise
by Emma Lewis
Last winter, I was walking home from school when a sudden snowstorm blew in. The wind whipped around me, and I could barely see the sidewalk. As I turned the corner, a neighbor opened her door and waved me inside. I was shivering, but grateful for the warm fire she had going.
Snowstorm Sweeps Town
Author Unknown
Last winter, a sudden snowstorm surprised residents walking home from school and work. Visibility was low, and many people struggled to stay warm. Neighbors helped one another by offering shelter, blankets, and hot drinks until the storm passed.
What type of account is the first passage? What type of account is the second passage?
The first passage is firsthand. The second passage is secondhand.
What pronouns (clue words) indicate a firsthand account?
I, me, we, our, and us
What pronouns (clue words) indicate a secondhand account?
he, him, his, her, she, they, them
What type of account is this: firsthand or secondhand?
Excerpt from History Textbook
The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in November of 1621. There were 52 English Settlers and 90 Wampanoag Native Americans at the feast.
Secondhand Account
A Snowy Night Surprise
by Emma Lewis
Last winter, I was walking home from school when a sudden snowstorm blew in. The wind whipped around me, and I could barely see the sidewalk. As I turned the corner, a neighbor opened her door and waved me inside. I was shivering, but grateful for the warm fire she had going.
Snowstorm Sweeps Town
Author Unknown
Last winter, a sudden snowstorm surprised residents walking home from school and work. Visibility was low, and many people struggled to stay warm. Neighbors helped one another by offering shelter, blankets, and hot drinks until the storm passed.
How are the two passages similar?
They both describe a winter snowstorm that happened last winter.
True or False: An autobiography is an example of a firsthand account.
True
(An autobiography is an account of a person's life written by that person)
True or False: A diary entry is an example of a secondhand account.
False
(A diary entry would include the author's thoughts and feelings, so it is an example of a firsthand account.)
What type of account is this: firsthand or secondhand?
Edward Winslow's Letter 1622
"Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling."
Firsthand Account
A Snowy Night Surprise
by Emma Lewis
Last winter, I was walking home from school when a sudden snowstorm blew in. The wind whipped around me, and I could barely see the sidewalk. As I turned the corner, a neighbor opened her door and waved me inside. I was shivering, but grateful for the warm fire she had going.
Snowstorm Sweeps Town
Author Unknown
Last winter, a sudden snowstorm surprised residents walking home from school and work. Visibility was low, and many people struggled to stay warm. Neighbors helped one another by offering shelter, blankets, and hot drinks until the storm passed.
How are the two passages different?
The first passage describes the narrator's experience in the snowstorm, while the second passage gives general facts about the snowstorm.
True or False: Firsthand accounts include only general facts about the event.
False
(Firsthand accounts include the author's thoughts, feelings, and opinions)
True or False: The author of a secondhand account uses research to describe an event.
What type of account is this: firsthand or secondhand?
"They had good success with their crops and were thankful to God who had brought them through their difficulties."
Secondhand Account
A Snowy Night Surprise
by Emma Lewis
Last winter, I was walking home from school when a sudden snowstorm blew in. The wind whipped around me, and I could barely see the sidewalk. As I turned the corner, a neighbor opened her door and waved me inside. I was shivering, but grateful for the warm fire she had going.
Snowstorm Sweeps Town
Author Unknown
Last winter, a sudden snowstorm surprised residents walking home from school and work. Visibility was low, and many people struggled to stay warm. Neighbors helped one another by offering shelter, blankets, and hot drinks until the storm passed.
What is one detail that is only found in the first passage?
A neighbor invited the narrator into her house.
The narrator was walking home from school.
Name an example of a firsthand account.
Ex: diary, journal, photo, letter, memoir, autobiography, interview
Name an example of a secondhand account.
Ex: textbook, newspaper article, encyclopedia article, research paper
What type of account is this: firsthand or secondhand?
"The first king, Massasoit, with some ninety men, came and ate with us."
Firsthand Account
A Snowy Night Surprise
by Emma Lewis
Last winter, I was walking home from school when a sudden snowstorm blew in. The wind whipped around me, and I could barely see the sidewalk. As I turned the corner, a neighbor opened her door and waved me inside. I was shivering, but grateful for the warm fire she had going.
Snowstorm Sweeps Town
Author Unknown
Last winter, a sudden snowstorm surprised residents walking home from school and work. Visibility was low, and many people struggled to stay warm. Neighbors helped one another by offering shelter, blankets, and hot drinks until the storm passed.
What is one detail that is only found in the second passage?
The storm surprised many people.
Many people struggled to stay warm.