Document Analysis Practice! (Unit 1)

INTRODUCTION

The AP U.S. History DBQ essay will require you to read and analyze documents, then use this analysis to defend a thesis.

This packet will help you practice with analyzing the documents and connecting them to outside information. The purpose of this packet IS to hone your skills in document analysis. This does NOT include developing or defending a thesis with your analysis, since you are not writing a full essay here. That will come later, once you’ve mastered analyzing documents (and doing so quickly).

THE SKILLS YOU MUST PRACTICE

When analyzing documents, you must:

  1. Analyze the information WITHIN the document and then…
  2. Connect OUTSIDE information to the document
  3. AFTER (not before!) doing the above, you should also be able to synthesize (connect) this information with a DIFFERENT historical period/trend. Further explanation follows:

1. Document Information:

When analyzing each document, you should consider the following: Historical Context, Intended Audience, Purpose, and Author’sPoint of View. To remember this, use the “H.I.P.P.” acronym. Remember, it’s “H.I.P.P.” to be an AP student!:) H.I.P.P components are defined as follows:

  • Historical Context—How does the document connect to broader history (the “setting”) of the time period?
  • Intended Audience—Which historical person/group/organization/etc. is the author addressing?
  • Purpose—Why did the author produce the document? Are they responding to something or trying to create influence?
  • Author’s Point of View—Historically, what would this author’s point of view have been?

***NOTE*** The AP Exam may give you a map, chart, list of statistics, etc. that is factual and not from a historical period. For these documents, “historical context” is the only H.I.P.P. component that applies.

2. Outside Information:

When analyzing each document, you should consider SPECIFIC historical examples related to the document but NOT mentioned in the document itself.

3. Synthesis:

After analyzing the document, you should be able to synthesize (connect) your analysis with a different historical period/parallel trend. For example, with a document referring to nativism in the 1890s, you could compare it to nativism during the Antebellum period (different time period). With a document discussing Puritans’ treatment of Native Americans, you could compare it to treatment of Native Americans by the Jamestown settlers (parallel trend from the same time period)In a full DBQ essay, this should be at the END of the essay.

Bringing it all Together: Writing with the Information:

You must be able to coherently write about the documents, using both the document information and outside information. In a full DBQ essay, you use this writing to defend a thesis. In this packet, you do not defend a thesis; you only write to show you can analyze document information and outside information clearly and analytically. Afterward, you should synthesize your writing by explaining its connection different historical period/trend.

YOUR INSTRUCTIONS

  1. For each document, fill in the charts for “H.I.P.P. Analysis” and for “Outside Information.” You need to get to the point where you can do this in about two minutes per document.
  2. Write a summary of the document that blends the document information and outside information. Do not quote the document. You need to get to the point where you can do this in five minutes or less.
  3. With your last sentence only, synthesize your summary with evidence or a different historical period/trend. (In a full DBQ essay, your synthesis should be 2-3 sentences.)

***THESE ARE SKILLS YOU ALSO NEED ON THE MULTIPLE CHOICE SECTION (and short answer section) OF THE TEST! MANY MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS RELATE TO H.I.P.P., OUTSIDE INFORMATION, AND SYNTHESIS!***

FOR EXAMPLE…

Document Sample:

--Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, 1862

H.I.P.P Analysis
(Historical Context, Intended Audience,
Purpose, Author’sPoint of View)
H- Civil War, after Battle of Antietam,time of low northern morale, turning point of war
I- Slaves, Northern citizens, southern citizens, European countries
P- gave war a moral cause, meant to boost morale, contributed to England not helping South
P-Lincoln believed freeing slaves helped the Union war effort, but he had also believed in allowed slavery to exist where it was prior to war, his views on abolitionism varied publically and privately / Outside Information
(Specific historical information related to the document but not stated in document)
-Lincoln had previous endorsed slavery in southern states
-slavery continued in border states
-Northern morale increased for a time
- England decided not to help the South fight
-Eventually, southern slaves joined the Union military, such as 54th Massachusetts
-Losing slaves hurt the South economically
-Gave precedence to the 13th Amendment
Document Summary
(Summarize document using at least two H.I.P.P. components (underlined) and two pieces of outside information (labeled with a “*”). Use complete sentences! With the LAST sentence, write the synthesis piece.) **this sample uses all four H.I.P.P. components as an example**
Mid-Civil War, Abraham Lincoln altered his 1860 position on allowing slavery to continue in the South.* Following the Battle of Antietam and falling northern support for the Civil War, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Though Lincoln was not necessarily against slavery everywhere, he felt the proclamation would help the reclaim northern support for the war. Lincoln’s proclamation was not only intended to influence northerners by increasing their desire to fight, but European nations as well, especially England. As a result, England decided not to aid the South in their war effort.* The proclamation also helped the Union cause as freedmen joined the Union army, such as the 54th Massachusetts.* Consequently, the Emancipation Proclamation played a role in helping the Union win the Civil War.*
Synthesis (connects to different historical period/trend): The Emancipation Proclamation addressed the rights of black Americans in the South during the Civil War. Similarly, the 14th and 15th Amendments addressed black rights during the Reconstruction Period. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 additionally addressed black rights during the 1960s.

It’s okay if your analysis and writing is not as thorough as this sample! The sample is a model to help you learn the process!

Document 1:

H.I.P.P Analysis
(Historical Context, Intended Audience,
Purpose, Author’sPoint of View)
H-
I-
P-
P- / Outside Information
(SPECIFIC historical information related to the document but not stated in document)
Document Summary
(Summarize document using at leasttwo H.I.P.P. components (underlined) and twopieces of outside information (labeled with a “*”). Overlap between H.I.P.P. and outside information may occur. Use complete sentences. With the LAST sentence, write the synthesis piece.)

Document 2:

H.I.P.P Analysis
(Historical Context, Intended Audience,
Purpose, Author’sPoint of View)
H-
I-
P-
P- / Outside Information
(SPECIFIC historical information related to the document but not stated in document)
Document Summary
(Summarize document using at leasttwo H.I.P.P. components (underlined) and twopieces of outside information (labeled with a “*”). Overlap between H.I.P.P. and outside information may occur. Use complete sentences. With the LAST sentence, write the synthesis piece.)

Document 3:

H.I.P.P Analysis
(Historical Context, Intended Audience,
Purpose, Author’sPoint of View)
H-
I-
P-
P- / Outside Information
(SPECIFIC historical information related to the document but not stated in document)
Document Summary
(Summarize document using at leasttwo H.I.P.P. components (underlined) and twopieces of outside information (labeled with a “*”). Overlap between H.I.P.P. and outside information may occur. Use complete sentences. With the LAST sentence, write the synthesis piece.)

Document 4:

H.I.P.P Analysis
(Historical Context, Intended Audience,
Purpose, Author’sPoint of View)
H-
I-
P-
P- / Outside Information
(SPECIFIC historical information related to the document but not stated in document)
Document Summary
(Summarize document using at leasttwo H.I.P.P. components (underlined) and twopieces of outside information (labeled with a “*”). Overlap between H.I.P.P. and outside information may occur. Use complete sentences. With the LAST sentence, write the synthesis piece.)

Document 5:

H.I.P.P Analysis
(Historical Context, Intended Audience,
Purpose, Author’sPoint of View)
H-
I-
P-
P- / Outside Information
(SPECIFIC historical information related to the document but not stated in document)
Document Summary
(Summarize document using at leasttwo H.I.P.P. components (underlined) and twopieces of outside information (labeled with a “*”). Overlap between H.I.P.P. and outside information may occur. Use complete sentences. With the LAST sentence, write the synthesis piece.)

Document 6:

H.I.P.P Analysis
(Historical Context, Intended Audience,
Purpose, Author’sPoint of View)
H-
I-
P-
P- / Outside Information
(SPECIFIC historical information related to the document but not stated in document)
Document Summary
(Summarize document using at least two H.I.P.P. components (underlined) and twopieces of outside information (labeled with a “*”). Overlap between H.I.P.P. and outside information may occur. Use complete sentences. With the LAST sentence, write the synthesis piece.)

Document 7:

H.I.P.P Analysis
(Historical Context, Intended Audience,
Purpose, Author’sPoint of View)
H-
I-
P-
P- / Outside Information
(SPECIFIC historical information related to the document but not stated in document)
Document Summary
(Summarize document using at least two H.I.P.P. components (underlined) and twopieces of outside information (labeled with a “*”). Overlap between H.I.P.P. and outside information may occur. Use complete sentences. With the LAST sentence, write the synthesis piece.)

Document 8:

H.I.P.P Analysis
(Historical Context, Intended Audience,
Purpose, Author’sPoint of View)
H-
I-
P-
P- / Outside Information
(SPECIFIC historical information related to the document but not stated in document)
Document Summary
(Summarize document using at least two H.I.P.P. components (underlined) and twopieces of outside information (labeled with a “*”). Overlap between H.I.P.P. and outside information may occur. Use complete sentences. With the LAST sentence, write the synthesis piece.)

Document 9:

*Quivira is present-day northern New Mexico

H.I.P.P Analysis
(Historical Context, Intended Audience,
Purpose, Author’sPoint of View)
H-
I-
P-
P- / Outside Information
(SPECIFIC historical information related to the document but not stated in document)
Document Summary
(Summarize document using at least two H.I.P.P. components (underlined) and twopieces of outside information (labeled with a “*”). Overlap between H.I.P.P. and outside information may occur. Use complete sentences. With the LAST sentence, write the synthesis piece.)

Document 10:

H.I.P.P Analysis
(Historical Context, Intended Audience,
Purpose, Author’sPoint of View)
H-
I-
P-
P- / Outside Information
(SPECIFIC historical information related to the document but not stated in document)
Document Summary
(Summarize document using at least two H.I.P.P. components (underlined) and twopieces of outside information (labeled with a “*”). Overlap between H.I.P.P. and outside information may occur. Use complete sentences. With the LAST sentence, write the synthesis piece.)

Document 11:

H.I.P.P Analysis
(Historical Context, Intended Audience,
Purpose, Author’sPoint of View)
H-
I-
P-
P- / Outside Information
(SPECIFIC historical information related to the document but not stated in document)
Document Summary
(Summarize document using at least two H.I.P.P. components (underlined) and twopieces of outside information (labeled with a “*”). Overlap between H.I.P.P. and outside information may occur. Use complete sentences. With the LAST sentence, write the synthesis piece.)