Compare Firsthand and Secondhand Accounts of the Same Event

We will compare firsthand and secondhand accounts of the same event. Concept Development

An account is a report about an event. An account can be reported firsthand or secondhand.

Account Features Example A Firsthand It uses Massive earthquake rocks Nepal Account personal by Sandra Bindhu reports an pronouns 1The ground shook in Nepal on Saturday, April 25. event from the like I, me, 2I knew an enormous earthquake had struck my author’s we, and country. 3The ground rolled for 20 seconds. personal my. 4I dashed inside my car to avoid being hit by experience. falling bricks from the buildings. 5I stepped out into rubble all around me. 6I saw many injured people. 8I ran to help wherever I heard voices. 9It was a nightmare. A Secondhand It gives Earthquake in Nepal Account information by Kevin Jones reports an about facts 1A huge earthquake struck Nepal on Saturday, event from the of the April 25. 2More than 5,000 people have died in the author’s event. devastation that demolished many villages. research. 3Relief workers are having a hard time reaching outlying villages. 4Local leaders report that landslides have blocked roads. 5The people who survived are living outside because their homes are destroyed. 6Most are injured and grieving for the family they lost.

CFU Which is an example of a firsthand account of an event? Explain. A Spiders are in the insect exhibit at the zoo, even though they aren’t insects. B I saw 15 different kinds of spiders at the zoo.

Which is an example of a secondhand account of an event? Explain. A Spiders are found on every continent of the world except Antarctica. B We visited the room with the largest, hairiest spiders.

What is the difference between firsthand and secondhand accounts?

1. Read both accounts of the event. 2. Identify the type of information and type of account. (circle) 3. Compare accounts of the same event. (answer questions)

A: Space probe makes history by B: We’ve landed on a comet! landing on a comet by Sandra Bindhu by Kevin Jones 1For the first time ever, a man-made 1 On November 12, 2014, science device has landed on a comet! 2Standing history was made when the Philae in mission control in Europe, I stared at the lander set down on Comet 67P/C-G. big screen as the spacecraft Rosetta shot 2 Philae was carried there by the photos of the Philae lander. 3We all held spacecraft Rosetta, which was our breath as the Philae lander launched by the European Space descended onto the comet. 4We gasped 3 Agency in 2004. It was a 10-year, 6.4 as it bounced a few times. 5Then, we 4 billion kilometer journey. Philae will cheered as data started coming back. 6I send back pictures, data, and rock was proud to witness this history with my sample analyses, giving scientists their own eyes. first-ever data from a comet.

1. Type of information for text A: Type of account for text A: A author’s personal experience A firsthand B author’s research B secondhand

2. Type of information for text B: Type of account for text B: A author’s personal experience A firsthand B author’s research B secondhand

3. Which shows feelings & actions? A We all held our breath B Philae will send back pictures C Rosetta shot photos of the Philae lander D I was proud to witness

4. Which shows facts and details? A We cheered as data started. B It descended to the comet from 22.5 km out in space. C I stared at the big screen. D It was launched by the European Space Agency in 2004.

1. Read both accounts of the event. 2. Identify the type of information and type of account. (circle) 3. Compare accounts of the same event. (answer questions) A: New ride at Adventure World B: Adventure World launches world 1Adventure World, the famous record attraction amusement park, announced a new 1Stay cool and wet next season by riding world record ride. 2I had to try it. 3It was Adventure World’s new fully themed a themed mega water slide. 4As I stood mega water slide. 2The CEO says it will be in line, it looked like the steepest and the steepest and longest of its kind longest water ride I had ever seen. 5I sat anywhere in the world. 3Adventure World, on a plastic raft and started floating. Canada’s famous amusement park, 6The route curved around and down released this news April 28, 2015. 4The new until I was dizzy. 7My head spun at a ride is not yet named but is expected to world-record pace! be world-record in size. 6It will cost $6 million.

5. Type of information for text A: Type of account for text A: A author’s personal experience A firsthand B author’s research B secondhand

6. Type of information for text B: Type of account for text B: A author’s personal experience A firsthand B author’s research B secondhand

7. Which shows a personal experience? A It looked like the steepest and longest ride I had ever seen. B The CEO says it will be the steepest and longest of its kind. C My head spun at a world-record pace! D It will cost $6 million.

8. Which shows research? A I sat on a plastic raft. B Adventure World released this news April 25. C The new ride is not yet named. D I had to try it!

Skill Closure 1. Read both accounts of the event. 2. Identify the type of information and type of account. (circle) 3. Compare accounts of the same event. (answer questions)

A: Andrew Bogut named to NBA defensive B: Andrew Bogut is top defensive player second team by Allen Clancy by John Kalvin 1Andrew Bogut, the Melbourne-born centre 1Standing next to the 7-foot tall for the Golden State Warriors, was named to Andrew Bogut, I could tell why the the NBA’s All-Defensive team on May 20. 2A 10- Australian center was named to the year veteran of basketball’s top league, Bogut NBA’s All-Defensive second team. 2May was rewarded for helping his team to the best 20 was the day I saw him block four win-loss record ever, and the best defensive shots and rush every shooter. 3I can record. 3His teammate Draymond Green was understand why this honor triggered a selected to the first team. 4Green said that $1.9 million bonus for him. 4My feeling is together they have been an unbeatable that he’s a great basketball player. 5It combination in the back court for the Warriors. was no surprise when I heard that the 5Coach Steve Kerr said, “ I believe Bogut is the Australian veteran has the third best ultimate team guy.” defensive rating (95.2) in the NBA.

1. Type of information for text A: Type of account for text A: A author’s personal experience A firsthand B author’s research B secondhand

2. Type of information for text B: Type of account for text B: A author’s personal experience A firsthand B author’s research B secondhand

3. Which shows a personal experience? A I could tell why he was named to 2nd team. B Bogut was named to the All-Defensive team. C I saw him block four shots and rush … D Bogut is the ultimate team guy.

4. Which shows research? A A 10-year veteran of the league B My feeling is he’s a great player. C Green said that together they have been unbeatable. D I can understand why this honor…

Concept Closure Read sentence 5 in Text A: Coach Kerr says, “I believe Bogut is the ultimate team guy”

Even believes because it has a personal pronoun, it makes the text a firsthand account. Do you agree or not?

Summary Closure What did you learn today about comparing firsthand and Word Bank secondhand accounts of the same event? Compare Account Firsthand Secondhand Pronouns Facts Details Feelings Personal experience

Read both accounts. Identify the type of information and type of accounts. Answer the questions.

A: New national food pyramid B: New food pyramid: what to eat ‘at a by Samantha Bird glance’ by Chloe Smith 1We have a new food pyramid. 1On May 18, the Food & Drug 2Released on May 18 by the U.S. Food & Administration released the first new Drug Administration, it gives us a visual tool food pyramid in 15 years. 2Now, for better eating. 3I read in the small print vegetables get prime attention at the that It is based on the latest dietary bottom of the pyramid. 3Grains and guidelines released by doctors in 2013. breads are less, and “extra” foods, like 4Now, we know that we should focus more sugar, processed foods and ‘junk’ food, on vegetables and legumes, followed by have been dropped altogether. grains in the next level up. 4Also, more herbs and spices are 5I was surprised that the third level is recommended along with plenty of dairy, meats, and nuts. 6We should eat less water. 5The pyramid moves dairy, meats of healthy fats. 7I was happy the pyramid and nuts to the next level, and caps the also recommended more herbs and spices pyramid with healthy fats. and lots of water.

1. Type of information for text A: Type of account for text A: A author’s personal experience A firsthand B author’s research B secondhand

2. Type of information for text B: Type of account for text B: A author’s personal experience A firsthand B author’s research B secondhand

3. Which shows a personal experience? A Now, we know we should focus more on vegetables… B Now, vegetables get prime attention… C I was surprised the third level is dairy, meat, and nuts.

4. Which shows research? A We have a new food pyramid. B The FDA released the first new food pyramid in 15 years. C I read in the small print… D “Extra” foods have been dropped.

Read both accounts. Identify the type of information and type of accounts. Compare accounts by answering questions.

A: More deaths from heatwave in India B: No let-up in massive India heatwave by Joe Hess by Indira Singh 1My neighbor just died from the heat! 1Heatwave conditions are still More than 1100 people have died since dangerous in India, where more than the heat began sweeping India May 18. 2I 1100 people have died in the past week. heard the weatherman warn that the heat 2Temperatures have fallen in two of will continue. the worst-hit states, but they continue to 3I can’t get to work because the roads stand at about 113o F. 3Hospitals are have melted in the capital of New Delhi, treating heatstroke patients, and officials and I see homeless people gasping for have urged people to stay indoors and breath on the streets. drink a lot of water. 4I told my brother, a construction worker, 4Weathermen say the heatwave is to stay home, and insisted my due to a lack of rain. 5The monsoon rains grandmother stay inside near a fan. are expected to hit southern India by the 5We all have been advised to stay end of May, and then sweep across the indoors and drink a lot of water. country.

1. Type of information for text A: Type of account for text A: A author’s personal experience A firsthand B author’s research B secondhand

2. Type of information for text B: Type of account for text B: A author’s personal experience A firsthand B author’s research B secondhand

3. Which shows feelings or actions? A I can’t get to work because the roads have melted… B Heatwave conditions are still dangerous… C Weathermen say the heat wave is due to a lack of rain. D We all have been advised to stay indoors…

4. Which shows facts and details? A Temperatures continue to stand at about 113oF. B I heard the weatherman warn that the heat will continue. C The monsoon rains are expected to hit… D I told my brother to stay home…

Janet was traveling across the U.S. She watched news reports as she went and sent messages, like letters, back home about it. Identify which messages were which type of text.

Type of Text Janet’s Notes

My friend and I went down into the Grand Canyon today.

The weather was reported to be 100o in the canyon.

Then, we traveled to Yellowstone National Park.

The park is known for the Old Faithful geyser.

Our next stop was the Picasso statue in Chicago.

It was created by the artist in 1970 as a gift to the city.

Types of Text Firsthand Secondhand Autobiography Newspaper Diary / Journal TV News Letters History text Eyewitness Reports Biography message

Read both accounts. Identify the type of information and type of accounts. Compare accounts by answering questions.

A: FIFA officials corrupted soccer by John Helm 1On May 26 investigators in the US and Switzerland accused leaders of FIFA of stealing tens of millions of dollars over 24 years. 2Fourteen people have been accused with seven held in Zurich. 3FIFA president Sepp Blatter is not among them. 4US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said they “had used their positions to solicit bribes over and over.” 5Swiss officials said there were problems with how the 2018 and 2022 World Cup locations were given to Russia and Qatar.

1. Type of information: Type of account: A author’s personal experience A firsthand B author’s research B secondhand

B: Arrested FIFA officials ‘corrupted soccer’ by Monika Sharma 1Soccer will never be the same again, I believe. 2I heard today that many of the leaders of FIFA, which puts on the World Cup, were arrested on May 26. 3U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said, “They corrupted the business of worldwide soccer.” 4I was hoping to go to Australia with my friends for the 2022 World Cup, but now it looks like the bids were rigged by bribery. 5This guy stated how I felt. 6“It was a World Cup of Fraud,” said Richard Weber, head of the US tax agency. 7“Today we are showing them the red card.”

2. Type of information: Type of account: A author’s personal experience A firsthand B author’s research B secondhand

3. Which shows feelings and actions? 4. Which shows facts and details? A Today we are showing them the red A Lynch said they had used their positions card. to solicit bribes. B I was hoping to go to Australia… B Investigators accused leaders of FIFA of C Fourteen people have been stealing. accused… C It was a World Cup of Fraud. D Soccer will never be the same again, I D Officials said there were problems with believe. how the World Cup locations were given.

Juan was studying Thomas Jefferson. He read his biography and his autobiography. Which statements below came from which type of text?

Type of Text Juan’s Notes

I used many of the ideas from the Virginia Declaration of Rights to write the Declaration.

He was the third president of the United States.

My home in Monticello was my favorite place to be.

Jefferson fought pirates in the Mediterranean Sea.

His purchase of Western lands expanded the borders of the U.S.

Architecture was really my first love.

Types of Text Firsthand Secondhand Autobiography Newspaper Diary / Journal TV News Letters History text Eyewitness Biography Reports

Read both accounts. Identify the type of information and type of accounts. Compare accounts by answering questions.

A: China nursing home fire kills 38 by John Yu 1A fire at a home for elders in China’s Henan province has killed 38 people. 2Another six people were injured. 3The fire broke out May 25, and the cause is unknown. 4There were 51 residents in the facility. 5The Xinhua news agency reported that President Xi Jinping ordered “all-out efforts” to help survivors and investigate the tragedy. 6A search-and rescue operation was underway as firefighters sifted through the remains.

1. Type of information: Type of account: A author’s personal experience A firsthand B author’s research B secondhand

B: Fire at Chinese nursing home kills dozens by Mary Xi 1Visiting the scene of this tragedy left me shaken. 2The fire that burned through a nursing home for elders in central China May 25 was a sight that I never want to see again. 3Victims were not recognizable, and wheelchairs were just melted metal. 4Out of the 51 residents, 38 had died. 5I don’t know how investigators will determine the cause of the fire because not much is left of the building. 6It used to be that we took care of our elders in our homes. 7But now, nursing homes are becoming more common in China. 8I worry about my own family.

2. Type of information: Type of account: A author’s personal experience A firsthand B author’s research B secondhand

3. Which shows feelings or actions? 4. Which shows facts or details? A Another six people were injured. A A fire in in China’s Henan province has B There were 51 residents in the facility. killed 38 people. C This tragedy left me shaken. B The fire broke out May 25. D Victims were not recognizable. C A search-and-rescue operation was underway. D It used to be that we took care or our elders.

The 6 o’clock TV News reported on the next space launch at Cape Canaveral in Florida. The report included comments from a reporter and interviews with eyewitnesses. Identify which statements below were which type of text.

Type of Text TV News Report & Interviews

The launch was scheduled for early in the morning when the weather was good.

As we followed the countdown, I could feel the ground shake as the rocket rumbled to life.

There were no astronauts on this launch, only supplies for the Space Station.

I could barely see the rocket when the steam shot up when the fuel ignited.

The Saturn rocket was 363 feet tall, as much as a 36-story building.

After it left the launch pad, I could see it make a smooth trajectory in the sky.

Types of Text Firsthand Secondhand Autobiography Newspaper Diary / Journal TV News Letters History text Eyewitness Biography Reports