In a biography, all of the following would be a primary source except for which one?
A. A telegram sent to the subject by a friend
B. An essay written about the subject by a former colleague
C. The personal testimony of the subject’s widow, gathered in an interview
D. The subject’s official military record
My answer is B
Right
Your answer is correct. In a biography, all of the following would be considered primary sources except for B. An essay written about the subject by a former colleague. Primary sources are original documents or firsthand accounts, while an essay written by a former colleague would be considered a secondary source as it is based on someone else's interpretation or analysis of the subject.
To determine which option is not a primary source in a biography, let's first understand what primary sources are. Primary sources are original records or firsthand accounts that provide direct evidence of an event, topic, or person. They are created by eyewitnesses or participants in the event or period being studied.
Now, let's examine each answer choice:
A. A telegram sent to the subject by a friend: This could be considered a primary source as it is a direct communication from a friend to the subject.
B. An essay written about the subject by a former colleague: This is not a primary source because it is not an original record or firsthand account. Instead, it is a secondary source since it is an interpretation or analysis of the subject written by someone else.
C. The personal testimony of the subject’s widow, gathered in an interview: This would be considered a primary source as it involves the personal testimony of someone close to the subject.
D. The subject’s official military record: This is another primary source as it is an official document created during the subject's military service.
Therefore, the answer choice that is not a primary source is B, an essay written about the subject by a former colleague.