Comparing Firsthand and Secondhand Accounts of Events Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RI.4.6

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

A firsthand account is when the person that is telling the story actual went through the event and is describing what they experienced. In written form this usually comes through in autobiographies, diaries, and personal letters. Authors will often use the words I, me, and we when writing in the firsthand. When writing in the secondhand the author usually researched or retell another person’s story. Secondhand works are often works of nonfiction such as a textbook or biography. The worksheets in this section will have students working on being able to tell the differences between works that were first and second hand accounts.

Firsthand and Secondhand Accounts Worksheets:

Perspective – Try to determine who is really telling this story.

What's Up In The Woods? – We ask you to rewrite the angle the story is coming from.

Pizza Night! – These passages are all over the place. Who is telling each story?

Comparing Accounts - Venn Diagram – Two stories on the same event. You can clearly see the difference.

Charting Comparisons – You will need a historical reading passage for this one.

Perspective Bubble – Choose one perspective and give a firsthand account of going on in the picture from that character's perspective.

Perspective and Point of View – Mrs. Maple was the school librarian. That night at dinner, Mrs. Maple told her husband about her day.

Fishing Deep – There are several different perspectives in this picture. List each perspective you can find.

A Night at the Ballet – Finally, it was the night Carrie had been waiting her.

Drive It Home – How many possible perspectives are there in the picture?

The Arrow – Choose one of the other character's perspectives and rewrite the story as a firsthand account on the back of this page.

Bringing Homes Together – This one requires you to fully rewrite it.

Narrative Perspective – Lightly color in the boxes which contain firsthand accounts.

The Kite – I am officially the worst kite flyer in the whole world!

Weird Science! – Look at the picture. What do you think is going on?

What Are Firsthand and Secondhand Accounts of Events?


A written explanation of texts can be written in two different ways. These are known as first-hand account and second-hand account of events.


First-Hand Account


The first type of writing of a chain of events is known as first-hand account of the event. The first-hand account of events is narrated by the person who has experienced it him or herself. The writer basically tells you the exact written description of what he or she saw. It is the primary source of information. The first-hand account of the event is more credible because the person explaining it has experienced it themselves. The first-hand account of events includes the personal opinions of the writer on the event or topic. It also contains a specific and detailed overview of the event as the writer has experienced it very closely. The writer may also include his or her emotions and feelings regarding the event. Usually, the first-hand account of the event contains details regarding one specific part of the event.


The types of texts that are written with first-hand account are personal diaries and journals. Other examples of first-hand account texts are autobiographies, letters, speeches, emails, interviews, and legal documents.


Second Hand Account


The second-hand account of events is the secondary source of information. It is written by a person who did not actually experience the event. Rather, the text is based on research or information given by someone else. The second-hand account of events includes facts and key information from the event. It contains descriptions and explanations from a third person point of view. Such types of text are found in encyclopedias, books, biographies, newspapers, and textbooks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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