Which of the following is a primary source in social studies?

The correct choice is diaries, which are considered a primary source in social studies because they provide firsthand accounts of events, thoughts, or feelings from individuals who experienced them directly. This original and unmediated perspective offers valuable insight into historical moments or personal experiences that researchers might be studying.

Diaries serve as direct evidence of a person's actions, feelings, or events from their own viewpoint, allowing historians and students to analyze and interpret the past through authentic experiences. They are distinct from secondary sources, which interpret or analyze primary data, as they don't rely on anyone else's interpretation.

In contrast, textbooks, political cartoons, and magazine articles represent secondary sources or types of commentary that often require interpretation or analysis of primary data. They typically summarize or critique events rather than provide an unfiltered account of experiences. Therefore, recognizing diaries as primary sources underscores their importance in understanding personal and historical narratives.