Which of the following is a primary-source example besides a letter?

• A. A diary entry from a soldier.
• B. An encyclopedia entry.
• C. A textbook chapter.
• D. A map published later.

Answer: (A)

A diary entry from a soldier. Primary sources are original records created at the time of the event or by someone who witnessed it. A soldier’s diary records thoughts and observations as they happened, providing a firsthand account of the period. Encyclopedias and textbooks are secondary sources because they compile, summarize, and interpret information after the fact. A map published later is also typically a secondary source, since it presents information about the past after the event has already occurred. So the diary entry is the primary-source example.