Which of the following is a primary source?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a primary source?

A primary source is a direct, first-hand record created at the time of an event or by someone with direct experience. An autobiography fits this best because it is the author recounting their own life from personal memory and perspective, without a mediator interpreting the events for the reader. A documentary can include original footage or interviews, but it is typically crafted to tell a story and provide interpretation, so it’s usually considered secondary. An encyclopedia article summarizes established information from other sources, and a textbook presents analyzed and curated content; both are secondary because they interpret and synthesize material rather than offering a direct, original account.

A primary source is a direct, first-hand record created at the time of an event or by someone with direct experience. An autobiography fits this best because it is the author recounting their own life from personal memory and perspective, without a mediator interpreting the events for the reader. A documentary can include original footage or interviews, but it is typically crafted to tell a story and provide interpretation, so it’s usually considered secondary. An encyclopedia article summarizes established information from other sources, and a textbook presents analyzed and curated content; both are secondary because they interpret and synthesize material rather than offering a direct, original account.

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