Which of the following is a primary source?

• A. A diary entry from the time of the event.
• B. A textbook chapter about the event.
• C. A documentary produced recently.
• D. A museum placard created today.

Answer: (A)

Primary sources are original records created at the time of an event, giving a first-hand view of what happened. A diary entry written during the event is exactly that: a personal, contemporaneous account that captures details, thoughts, and observations as they occurred, offering direct insight into the experience and perspective of someone who lived through it.

The other options are not primary sources because they come after the event and interpret or summarize it. A textbook chapter about the event presents information that has been analyzed and packaged for learners. A documentary produced recently is a later interpretation that combines various sources to tell the story. A museum placard created today offers a curated summary for visitors rather than original, contemporaneous testimony.