Introduction: Why Primary Sources Matter
If you’re taking AP World, you already know that documents are everywhere on the exam. Whether it’s a DBQ, multiple-choice passage, or SAQ, you’ll need to analyze primary sources.
But many students freeze when they see a text, map, or image. They either summarize it without analysis or miss the context entirely. This guide shows you how to break down primary sources using proven strategies like HIPP, with practice advice and RevisionDojo tools to make source analysis second nature.
Step 1: Know the Types of Primary Sources
On the AP World exam, primary sources can include:
- Texts: Letters, speeches, laws, religious writings.
- Images: Paintings, political cartoons, propaganda posters.
- Maps: Trade routes, imperial maps, demographic maps.
- Charts/Data: Population records, trade statistics.
👉 Tip: Don’t panic — treat every source as evidence for your essay or answer.
Step 2: Use the HIPP Strategy
The College Board recommends analyzing documents with HIPP:
- H = Historical Context → What’s happening when this was created?
- I = Intended Audience → Who was this made for?
- P = Purpose → Why was it created?
- P = Point of View → What biases or perspectives are present?
👉 Example: A 19th-century British factory owner’s report.
- Context: Industrial Revolution.
- Audience: Parliament.
- Purpose: Justify conditions.
- POV: Owner wants to downplay problems.
Step 3: Annotate Sources Quickly
During the exam, don’t spend 10 minutes reading each document. Instead:
- Skim the source.
- Circle key words (dates, people, places).
- Write a quick HIPP note in the margin.
👉 This keeps you focused on analysis, not summary.
Step 4: Integrate Sources into DBQs
The biggest test of source analysis is the Document-Based Question (DBQ).
- Don’t just summarize documents.
- Use them as evidence: “As seen in Document 2, merchants used…”
- Then add HIPP analysis: “…but this source is biased since it was written by a European trader protecting profits.”
👉 Use at least 6 documents with HIPP for maximum points.
Step 5: Analyze Visuals
Visual sources require careful observation:
- Maps: Look at what’s emphasized (trade routes, empires).
- Art/Images: Consider symbolism, patron, audience.
- Political Cartoons: Identify exaggeration + message.
👉 Ask: “What story is this visual telling?”
Step 6: Compare Sources
One high-level skill is comparing documents.
- Example: A British official praising imperialism vs an Indian nationalist resisting it.
- Compare audience, purpose, and perspective.
👉 This shows deeper analysis = higher DBQ scores.
Step 7: Connect Sources to Themes
Every document connects to SPICE-T themes:
- Social: Gender roles, class.
- Political: Empires, laws.
- Interaction: Migration, environment.
- Cultural: Religion, language.
- Economic: Trade, labor.
- Technology: Innovation, industrialization.
👉 Always link the source to a theme for essay support.
Step 8: Practice with Sample Sources
Don’t wait until May. Practice regularly with documents:
- Use past AP DBQs.
- Grab primary sources from textbooks.
- Use RevisionDojo’s source practice packs with HIPP prompts.
👉 The more you practice, the faster you’ll get.
Step 9: Use Sources Beyond DBQs
Primary sources aren’t just for DBQs. They appear in:
- MCQs (analyze a passage/map).
- SAQs (interpret a chart + explain significance).
👉 Practicing document analysis helps in all exam sections.
Step 10: Time Management
The DBQ is only 60 minutes. Use this approach:
- 15 minutes → Read/analyze docs, outline thesis.
- 45 minutes → Write essay.
👉 Don’t let documents eat your time.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Summarizing documents instead of analyzing.
- Forgetting HIPP.
- Ignoring author’s point of view.
- Not linking sources to thesis/argument.
- Running out of time.
Real-World Student Example
One AP World student:
- Practiced one HIPP analysis daily.
- Used RevisionDojo’s document packets weekly.
- Learned to connect each doc to their thesis.
By exam day, they said DBQs felt “automatic,” and they scored a 5.
How RevisionDojo Helps with Source Analysis
RevisionDojo makes source practice easy with:
- HIPP worksheets for common source types.
- DBQ practice prompts with feedback.
- Visual analysis guides for maps + art.
- Timed writing drills to build speed.
👉 Check out RevisionDojo’s Source Analysis Hub to practice smarter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I have to analyze every document in a DBQ?
A: Use at least 6 with HIPP for full points.
Q: How detailed should HIPP analysis be?
A: 1–2 sentences per document is enough.
Q: What if I don’t understand a document?
A: Skim for keywords and connect to big themes. Don’t panic.
Q: Do visuals count as documents?
A: Yes — maps, charts, and art are valid DBQ evidence.
Q: How can I practice source analysis daily?
A: Do 5-minute HIPP drills with random documents.
Final Thoughts
Primary source analysis is one of the most important skills in AP World. It separates average essays from top-scoring ones. If you can break down documents with HIPP, link them to themes, and use them as evidence, you’ll ace DBQs and other source-based questions.
