Firsthand Burden

In this worksheet, students analyze a diary-style passage from a nurse during the 1918 influenza pandemic. They identify the point of view and explain how the chosen perspective influences emotion and understanding. Students reflect on how the experience might differ if told from another point of view, such as third-person. The activity highlights the importance of perspective in interpreting historical experiences. Learners examine how personal accounts communicate fear, exhaustion, and purpose during a crisis. This develops sensitivity to human experiences in history while strengthening critical reading skills. The worksheet reinforces the role of diaries and firsthand sources in historical research.

Curriculum Matched Skills

Social Studies – Interpreting Historical Narratives

English Language Arts – Point of View Analysis

Social Studies – World History: 1918 Influenza Pandemic

English Language Arts – Textual Evidence and Interpretation

This worksheet is part of our historical text worksheets collection.