Ace the English STAAR 2026 – Unleash Your Texas-Sized Potential!

A firsthand account is defined as a narrative told by someone who directly experienced the events being described. This type of account provides unique insight and detail since it comes directly from the individual's perspective, allowing the reader to understand the emotions, thoughts, and reactions of a person involved in the events. Firsthand accounts are often valuable in history, literature, and other fields because they offer authenticity and an immediate sense of the situation as opposed to interpretations or retellings by others.

The other choices present different forms of narratives. A second-hand narrative involves recounting someone else's experiences, which lacks the direct perspective of the original events. A fictional story based on real events uses creativity to interpret and embellish actual occurrences, steering away from the authenticity of firsthand experiences. A summary of a historical event condenses information and provides an overview but does not delve into the personal experiences or detailed accounts from individuals who lived through those moments. Thus, the definition provided in the correct answer accurately captures the essence of what constitutes a firsthand account.