Dave Neumann

Director, The History Project at California State University–Long Beach

Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks

Distinguished Professor of History, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

Students and adults alike often grumble that history is just a bunch of facts to memorize. While it’s true that studying history requires data, information, and, yes, facts, that’s not the essence of what history is. History is a way of thinking about the world by looking at the past. It is a reconstruction of the past, drawing on both imagination and interpretation. In this effort historians use a number of skills. This skills primer will help you develop the historical thinking skills you need to succeed in any Advanced Placement history course and on the AP exams. It will also enable you to improve critical thinking, reading, and writing skills that will be useful in college or in whatever endeavor you pursue after high school.

*AP is a trademark registered and/or owned by the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.