APPARTS
Why does Mrs. Dyer require me to analyze primary documents using APPARTS?
The purpose of the acronym APPARTS is to help students become familiar with the process
involved when analyzing a primary source or document. Throughout the AP course, we will
look at a variety of documents and APPARTS will help you make sense of the documents.
Author
Place/time
Prior Knowledge
Audience
Reason Created
The main idea
Significance
What can I do to make the document analysis easier and more efficient?
Although the acronym divides the analysis of a document into 7 different steps, many of the
steps are interrelated. As such, they are best discussed together for a more complete analysis.
Below are some helpful tips that should make the analysis of a document go a bit more smoothly.
1. Combine: Author, Place/Time, Audience, and Reason Created.
a. Although you MUST address each, it will be helpful to combine the four because
they all contribute to the POINT OF VIEW of the source. The author, time
period, intended audience and reason for the creation of the source all play into
the overall picture.
b. Provide a concise, yet complete, analysis of the document that includes all four.
2. Combine: Main Idea and Significance.
a. The main idea and significance are included in the analysis as a means of getting
students to acknowledge the importance of certain documents in the context of
historical study. Students must be able to pick out the main idea(s) of the
document while also placing the document in appropriate historical context.
b. The two will help students tie the document in with their overall understanding of
the time period. Be sure to address both of them within your analysis.
3. Address Prior Knowledge separately.
a. Include a summary of what you already knew about the content addressed in this
document. Avoid use of personal pronouns!
Will this help me on the AP Exam?
Yes!!! The AP World History exam will require students to complete a free response essay in
which they will analyze between around 10 documents. The DBQ, as this essay is known, will
test a student’s ability to analyze and make meaning of a variety of primary documents. They
must be able to: 1. Pull information from the article and use it within the context of the prompt 2.
Group the documents based upon their commonalities within the context of the prompt. 3.
Analyze the point of view for two of the provided sources.
Practicing the document analysis throughout the course will help prepare you for the DBQ.