AP US History
Mr. Curtis
Analysis guide: Secondary Source Readings
12 Points
Some things to consider:
One of the reasons to study secondary source readings in addition to primary source
documents is to appreciate that “history” is a product of interpretation, and not just a
description of facts. Because the writing of history involves interpretation and not “truth,” it is
important to think critically as you evaluate secondary source readings for the arguments they
offer, the points they make, and the evidence they provide.
Analysis questions (2 points per question):
1. What is the subject in American History that the author seeks to explore? Who, what,
when, and where?
2. What is the author’s main argument (thesis)?
3. What is the author’s strongest point in support of their argument? Be specific.
4. Did the author make a convincing case in support of his or her thesis?
 If yes, how did the author’s argument change your understanding of the basic subject?

If no, what do you contend to be the correct view upon the issue raised by the author
and why?
5. What theme(s) (see the chart below) does the reading address? Explain how the author
addresses the theme(s).
6. Identify at least two primary source readings from this year that share a content overlap
with this article. And be sure to explain why this is the case.
Learning Objective by theme
American and National Identity (NAT)
Description
Politics and Power (POL)
This theme focuses on how different social and political
groups have influenced society and government in the
United States, as well as how political beliefs and
institutions have changed over time.
Work, Exchange, and Technology (WXT)
This theme focuses on the factors behind the
development of systems of economic exchange,
particularly the role of technology, economic markets,
and government.
Culture and Society (CUL)
This theme focuses on the roles that ideas, beliefs, social
mores, and creative expression have played in shaping
the United States, as well as how various identities,
cultures, and values have been preserved or changed in
different contexts of U.S. history.
Migration and Settlement (MIG)
This theme focuses on why and how the various people
who moved to and within the United States both
adapted to and transformed their new social and
physical environments.
Geography and the Environment (GEO)
This theme focuses on the role of geography and both
the natural and human-made environments on social
and political developments in what would become the
United States.
America in the World (WOR)
This theme focuses on the interactions between nations
that affected North American history in the colonial
period, and on the influence of the United States on
world affairs.
This theme focuses on how and why definitions of
American and national identity and values have
developed, as well as on related topics such as
citizenship, constitutionalism, foreign policy,
assimilation, and American exceptionalism.