Firsthand and Secondhand Accounts

Compare an account by someone who was there with one written by someone who wasn't.

A firsthand account is written by someone who experienced an event, such as a diary, letter, or interview. It uses words like I and we and shares feelings and personal details. A secondhand account is written by someone who wasn't there, like a textbook writer or news reporter who gathered information from others.

It usually uses he, she, and they and focuses on facts, causes, and the bigger picture. Compare. Firsthand: 'We felt the ground shake, and I grabbed my little sister's hand as dishes crashed to the floor. ' Secondhand: 'The earthquake struck at 6:12 a. m. , damaging more than 200 buildings across the region.

' The firsthand account helps you feel the moment; the secondhand account gives a wider, more complete view. Reading both gives the fullest understanding of an event.

• 1Firsthand: written by someone who was there.
• 2Secondhand: written by someone who wasn't there.
• 3Each gives different information; both together give the fullest picture.