First hand account vs. Second hand account
When I looked out of my window, I saw the snow start falling faster. Soon, the whole street was covered in white. My dad helped me shovel the front walk before it turned icy.
What point of view is the story told in? How do you know?
Firsthand, because the writer was there and uses “I” to describe what they saw and did.
What is the difference between first person and third person point of view in a text?
First person uses “I,” “me,” and “we” — the narrator is in the story.
Third person uses “he,” “she,” or “they” — the narrator is outside the story.
What does perspective mean in nonfiction writing?
It’s the author’s point of view, beliefs, or feelings about the topic or event.
What is one key way point of view and perspective are different?
Point of view is who is telling the story;
perspective is how they feel or what they think about it.
Text A: “I was at the park when the fireworks began. I covered my ears because they were so loud! The sky filled with bright colors that made me feel excited. My friends and I cheered after each burst. It was the best night ever.”
Text B: “The fireworks show lit up the town park, and families watched from picnic blankets. People said the display was one of the largest the city had ever had. Many enjoyed the colorful designs in the night sky. The crowd clapped and cheered as the show ended. City officials planned the event for months.”
Question: How are these two texts alike, and how are they different?
Answer: Both tell about the same fireworks event. Text A is firsthand and includes feelings, while Text B is secondhand and reports facts.
Both tell about the same fireworks event.
Text A is firsthand and includes feelings, while Text B is secondhand and reports facts.
What is the difference between a first hand account and a second hand account, and what pronouns would you hear in each?
First hand account is told by someone who experienced the event. It includes their own thoughts, feelings, and what they saw or did. You would hear pronouns such as: I, me, we, our, and us.
Secondhand account is told by someone who did not experience the event but learned about it from another source. It focuses more on facts and details rather than personal feelings. You would hear pronouns such as: he, she, they, them, and theirs.
I collected the insects in jars and labeled each one. My science project took weeks of careful work. Which point of view is used here, and how can you tell?
First person; the narrator uses “I” and directly shares personal experience.
I think city parks are the best way to bring neighbors together. When I visit on weekends, everyone seems happier and more relaxed. People are walking their dogs, playing games, or just sitting and talking with friends Parks create a space where neighbors can meet naturally and build stronger connections. I love seeing the sense of community that comes from sharing these outdoor spaces.
What is the author's perspective?
The author believes parks are positive and help people connect.
Text A: “I was in the crowd when the flag was raised. Everyone cheered.”
Text B: “Thousands attended the event, which became a symbol of unity.”
Compare Text A and Text B.
Text A is firsthand and first person (personal, emotional). Text B is secondhand and third person (informative, factual).
Text A: “I watched my dog dig a big hole in the yard. Dirt flew everywhere as she wagged her tail. I laughed when she came up covered in mud. Mom told me to give her a bath right away. It took forever to get her clean again.”
Text B: “A child’s dog buried several toys in the backyard, making a huge mess. The family spent almost an hour cleaning up. The dog seemed to enjoy playing in the dirt. Neighbors even stopped to laugh at the silly sight. It became a funny story to share.”
What is one similarity and one difference between these two texts?
Both tell about a messy dog. The first is from the child who saw it happen, while the second retells the story more like a reporter.
According to reports from neighbors, the heavy snowstorm covered the entire town in just one hour. Many families had to stay inside until the roads were cleared.
Is this firsthand account or secondhand account? What clue helped you decide?
Secondhand, because the writer learned from others (“reports from neighbors”) and wasn’t present.
Maria finished her project early and proudly showed it to her teacher. She hoped it would win first place.”
Which point of view is this, and what clue words helped you determine it?
Answer: Third person; it uses “Maria” and “she,” not “I” or “me.”
What clues in a text help you identify an author’s perspective?
Opinion words (like “I think,” “best,” or “should”), tone, and the kinds of details the author includes or leaves out.
How can perspective influence the differences between two firsthand accounts of the same event?
Each writer might focus on different parts or interpret actions based on their own beliefs or feelings.
Text A: “The storm came quickly, and we all rushed inside. I could hear the wind shaking the windows. I was scared but tried to stay calm. My dad used flashlights when the lights went out. We waited together for the storm to pass.”
Text B: “A family took shelter inside their home as a strong storm hit the area. Winds caused power outages and forced people indoors. Many stayed calm while they waited for the storm to end. Some families kept lights on with flashlights. Weather reports said the storm lasted over an hour.”
Compare the two texts. How does each show the event differently?
Both describe the same storm, but Text A is personal and shows feelings because they experienced the event.
Text B explains the event with more facts and no emotions because they did not experience the event.
During the flood, many residents had to move to higher floors to stay safe. Several people reported seeing water rise above the street signs and flooding cars. Neighbors helped each other carry belongings and stay dry. The storm caused streets to become completely submerged, making travel impossible for hours. Emergency workers had to assist residents until the water went down.
When the flood started, I ran to the second floor and watched the water rise over the street signs. I could feel my heart racing as the current swept past my house. I saw my neighbor struggling to move his car through the deep water. The smell of wet earth and rain filled the air, and I shivered as I watched everything around me disappear under the water. I knew this was something I would never forget.
Compare and contrast the 2 texts. Identify 1 similarity and 1 difference in perspective.
Both texts tell about the same flood. The first one just reports what happened, but the second one is from someone who was there and shares their feelings.
How might an event sound different if it’s rewritten from first person instead of third person? Give one example of a change in tone or detail.
If it’s written in first person, it might sound more personal and full of feelings, like “I was so scared.” In third person, it might sound more like someone just telling what happened, such as “She looked scared.”
How might two authors writing about the same topic have different perspectives about zoos?
One might view zoos as educational and good for animals, while another might see them as unfair or limiting for animals.
Why is it important to analyze all three—point of view, perspective, and account type—when evaluating a nonfiction text?
Because together they help readers understand not just what happened, but how and why it’s told the way it is—including previous experiences and beliefs.
Text A: “I joined the school clean-up day to make our playground look nice. I picked up trash and helped plant flowers near the swings. Everyone worked hard and had fun. My teacher said we made a big difference. I was proud when I saw how clean it looked.”
Text B: “Students at Valley Elementary spent Saturday morning cleaning their playground. They collected trash, planted flowers, and repainted benches. Teachers said the students showed great teamwork. Many kids said they felt proud of the results. The school community appreciated their effort.”
Question: What is one way the two authors’ perspectives are similar and one way they’re different?
Both think the clean-up was a good thing. The first text sounds more personal and proud, while the second sounds more informative and formal.
Why might two people who witnessed the same event write about it differently?
Two people might write about the same event differently because of their previous experiences.
Why do authors sometimes choose to write an informational text in third person instead of first?
Third person is told using facts and details and allows the author to include multiple perspectives instead of one character's experience.
How does an author’s background or previous experiences effect their perspective?
Their experiences, values, or goals can shape how they interpret events or choose which facts to highlight.
Two authors write about the same historical event — a large city fire. Author A writes a diary entry describing how she escaped her burning apartment and what she felt as the fire spread. Author B writes a newspaper article explaining where the fire started, how firefighters responded, and how much damage it caused.
How do point of view, perspective, and account type work together to affect what readers learn from each text?
The diary is told in first person with a personal perspective, so it helps readers feel what it was like to be there. The newspaper article is third person and secondhand, so it gives readers facts and a bigger picture. Looking at all three—point of view, perspective, and account type—helps readers understand both the feelings of people in the event and the factual details of what happened.
Text A: “When I crossed the finish line, I couldn’t believe I’d done it! My legs hurt, but I felt proud and happy. The crowd cheered as I caught my breath. Running the race was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’ll remember that feeling forever.”
Text B: “During the city fun run, dozens of students finished the race after weeks of practice. Runners smiled as they crossed the finish line and were cheered on by a large crowd. Many described the experience as exciting and challenging. Organizers said the event encouraged teamwork and healthy habits. Everyone left feeling accomplished.”
Question: Compare and contrast the point of view and perspective in these two texts.
Both describe running the same race and show pride in completing it. Text A is firsthand and emotional (the runner’s view), while Text B is secondhand and focuses on the whole group.