Which of the following is a primary source?

• A. A diary
• B. A secondary source
• C. A textbook article
• D. An encyclopedia entry

Answer: (A)

Primary sources are firsthand records created at or near the time of an event, offering direct evidence from someone who experienced it. A diary is exactly that kind of source because it provides the writer’s own experiences, observations, and reflections as events unfolded. In contrast, textbook articles and encyclopedia entries synthesize information from multiple sources and present analysis or summaries, making them secondary sources. While a diary may show bias, it still serves as an original, personal account, whereas the others rely on interpretation of other materials. This is why the diary is the primary source.