Cracking the Free-Response

Questions

What is the Free-Response Question

Two-part essay section consisting of two groups of questions

First group asks questions about the period before the Civil War

Second groups asks questions about the period after the Civil War

You must choose 1 question from each group

Free Response is the final section of the AP US History Exam

Administered immediately following the DBQ

70 minutes to plan and write both essaysGraded on a scale of 1-9Free Response is worth 25% of your AP

Grade

So Remember…Free Response has 2 pairs of questions-

you must answer 1 question from each of the pairs (1st pair: pre-Civil War; 2nd pair: post 1865)

Choose the questions you know most, not ones that look easiest

Analyze the question. Circle/underline important words and phrases

Once you understand, create grids, graphs, columns, diagrams in which to organize your notes on the essay

Decide on a thesis, and then write an outline for your essay

Follow your outline. Stick to one important idea per paragraph

Support your ideas with historical evidenceWrite clearly and neatly. Do not write overly

complex sentencesUse transition words to indicate continuity

of thought and changes in the direction of your argument

Stay positive. Do not panic.

Look at the Free Response Rubric

What are the differences in:Superior EssayStrong EssayAdequate EssayEssay-AP Score 2-4Essay-AP Score 1

Unit II Free-Response SamplesQuestion # 1

Explain the influence of TWO of the following on the U.S. decision to go to war in 1812Embargo policies of Jefferson and

MadisonBritish impressment of American

seamenSettlers’ conflicts with Native AmericansExpansionist goals of the War Hawks

Sample answer to question 1

The U.S. went into the war of 1812 because of British impressment of American seamen and the embargo policies of Jefferson and Madison

Based on the rubric, what would you rate this?

Superior thesis (with strong analysis)Strong thesis (contains general analysis)Clear thesis (needs general analysis)Undeveloped thesis (simple thesis, no

analysis)No thesis

What is analysis?

In a history based essay analysis refers to using historical evidence to support Cause and EffectHowWhy

Now, based on the rubric, what would you rate this?

Superior thesis (with strong analysis)Strong thesis (contains general analysis)Clear thesis (needs general analysis)Undeveloped thesis (simple thesis, no

analysis)No thesis

Undeveloped thesis

Why?It simply restates the questionDoes not have any analysisNo why, causes and effect or how

addressed in thesis statement

What would a superior thesis look like?

Clearly answers all parts of the questionCan be 1-2 sentences in the first

paragraph of the essayProvides clear analysis of the topic by

addressing why, cause and effect and/or how

Undeveloped thesis

The U.S. went into the war of 1812 because of British impressment of American seamen and the embargo policies of Jefferson and Madison

Clear thesis (needs more general analysis)

The War of 1812 had many causes, but the two most significant causes are British impressment of American seamen and embargo policies of Jefferson and Madison.

Strong thesis (contains general analysis)

The War of 1812 had many causes, but the two most significant causes are British impressment of American seamen and embargo policies of Jefferson and Madison. The issue of British ships taking American sailors fueled the anger of Americans towards the British. In addition to impressment, the embargo acts negatively impacted American and British trade, further fueling the desire to go war with the British.

Superior thesisThe U.S. went into the war of 1812 because of British impressment of American seamen and the embargo policies of Jefferson and Madison. Although Washington had the Jay Treaty with Britain, the issue of British ships taking American sailors was not addressed, fueling the anger towards the British among Americans. To address the issue of impressment, Jefferson and Madison enacted embargo policies, which resulted in negatively impacting both United States’ and British trade, further adding to the desire to go to war with Britain.

Sample introduction paragraphAfter fighting for American independence and winning, the U.S. did not want further conflict with Great Britain. The U.S. was able to avoid a second war with Britain for25 years, but in 1812, the U.S. and Britain were engaged in conflict once again. This war became known as the War of 1812. The War of 1812 had many causes, but the two most significant causes are British impressment of American seamen and embargo policies of Jefferson and Madison. Although Washington had the Jay Treaty with Britain, the issue of British ships taking American sailors was not addressed, fueling the anger towards the British among Americans. To address this issue of impressment, Jefferson and Madison enacted embargo policies, which resulted in negatively impacting both United States’ and British trade, again fueling the desire for war with Britain.

What will the rest of the essay look like?

Paragraph 2 TS:After winning its independence, the United States

wanted to avoid further foreign conflict in order to focus on domestic issues as evident through the Neutrality Proclamation and Jay Treaty.

Paragraph 3 TS:Although Washington had signed the Jay Treaty in

hopes of avoiding conflict with Britain, the issue of British impressment of sailors continued, which made Americans angry towards the British.

Paragraph 4 TSIn reaction to British impressment, President

Jefferson and Madison passed embargo acts. One of the goals of the embargo acts was to force Britain to stop impressing sailors. The result of the embargo acts through, was that both American and Britain trade was negatively impacted.

ConclusionRestate thesis : impressment and embargo acts

were most influential causes of War of 1812Restate 3 points:

US wanted to avoid conflictBritish impressment continuedEmbargo acts hurt US economically

Work in pairs to form a superior thesis to this question:

How did economic, geographic, and social factors encourage the growth of slavery as an important part of the economy of the southern colonies between 1607 and 1775