APPARTS
Use APPARTS to analyze primary source materials.
A
AUTHOR
  • Who created the source?
  • What do you know about the author?
  • What is the author's point of view?
P
PLACE AND TIME
  • Where and when was the source produced?
  • How might this affect the meaning of the source?
P
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
  • Beyond information about the author and the context of its creation, what do you know that would help you further understand the primary source?
  • For example, do you recognize any symbols and recall what they represent?
A
AUDIENCE
  • For whom was the source created and how might this affect the reliability of the source?
R
REASON
  • Why was this source produced at the time it was produced?
T
THE MAIN IDEA
  • What point is the source trying to convey?
S
SIGNIFICANCE
  • Why is this source important?
  • What inferences can you draw from this document?
  • Ask yourself, "So what?" in relation to the question asked.

From: College Board. AP Vertical Teams® Guide for Social Studies.

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Updated: October 30, 2006