Advanced Placement US History
Summer Work
Part I: Current Events
Collect 7 current event articles (from newspapers, magazines, Internet news agencies) that directly discuss the functions of US government. These articles should be within the last 2 months. Be sure to print out or include a copy of the article.
· Summarize each article in a paragraph (4-5 sentences)
· Analyze/evaluate the impact of each article on the US in a paragraph
· Overall, draw a conclusion about the significance of all articles on
US history (1 page for all 7 articles together)
Place these articles in order by date followed by the writing on each article in a 1/2” binder or folder with clasps.
Part II: Primary Source Analysis
Below is a list of primary sources from early US history. Choose 3 to read & do the following:
-Paragraph Summary of each source (in your paragraph, place a
quote from the reading that shows the main idea)
-Comparison: Compare & contrast the tone & main ideas of the 3
readings. This should be done in 2 paragraphs-one of
comparison & one of contrast. Be sure to use specific quotes
from the readings to support your ideas.
-Analysis: Discuss the following issues about the readings (this should
be 1-2 paragraphs long).
-What do the readings show about America at the time?
-Do the authors fully analyze the issue at hand?
-Are the issues too specific or do they adequately view
the overall ideas present in the US?
-Are the issues still relevant to modern America?
“Letters from an American Farmer” Jean de Crevecoeur
“Common Sense” Thomas Paine
“Interesting Narrative of Life of Oloudah Equiano” Oloudah Equiano
“Address to the Negroes of State of New York” Jupiter Hammon
“Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania” John Dickinson
“Character of a Good Ruler” Samuel Willard
“Rights of British Colonies Asserted & Proved” James Otis
“Rights of the Colonists” Samuel Adams
“Thoughts on Government” John Adams
“Letter to Danbury Baptists” Thomas Jefferson
“On the Equality of the Sexes” Judith Sargent Murray
“Farewell Address” George Washington
“Boston Massacre Oration” John Hancock
“Observations on the New Constitution” Mercy Warren
“Narrative of the Pequot War” John Mason
“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” Patrick Henry
Scoring Guide:
Current Events: 100 points
Articles (7)
Writing on articles (summary & analysis)
Primary Source Analysis: 100 points
Summary, Evaluation, & Analysis all complete for both readings
You will turn in the primary source writing and binder on the first day of school. Be prepared for discussion of these issues.
If you have questions over the summer, please feel free to email Mr. Hibbard at or leave a message at Marion County High School, 692-6066, ext. 116.