FRQsFRQsFRQsFRQsA Writing ProcessA Writing ProcessA Writing ProcessA Writing Process

Understand the QuestionUnderstand the QuestionUnderstand the QuestionUnderstand the Question

Understand what the question asks you to do (the directions)! Analyze Contrast To what extent…? (How much?) Assess the validity Evaluate the effectiveness

Understand what the question asks you to do (the directions)! Analyze Contrast To what extent…? (How much?) Assess the validity Evaluate the effectiveness

Open or Closed QuestionsOpen or Closed Questions

An Open Question--does not tell students what themes to cover

Example:Although New England and the Chesapeake region were both settled largely by people of English origin, by 1700 the regions had evolved into distinct societies. Why did this difference in development occur?

An Open Question--does not tell students what themes to cover

Example:Although New England and the Chesapeake region were both settled largely by people of English origin, by 1700 the regions had evolved into distinct societies. Why did this difference in development occur?

Open or Closed QuestionsOpen or Closed Questions

Another example

“Reform movements in the United States sought to expand democratic ideals.”

Assess the validity of this statement with specific reference to the period 1825-1850.

Another example

“Reform movements in the United States sought to expand democratic ideals.”

Assess the validity of this statement with specific reference to the period 1825-1850.

Open or Closed QuestionsOpen or Closed Questions

Closed Question: Tells the student what themes to cover

Example:

In what ways did the French and Indian War (1754-63) alter the political, economic, and ideological relations between Britain and its American colonies?

Use the documents and your knowledge of the period 1740-1766 in constructing your response. (2004)

Closed Question: Tells the student what themes to cover

Example:

In what ways did the French and Indian War (1754-63) alter the political, economic, and ideological relations between Britain and its American colonies?

Use the documents and your knowledge of the period 1740-1766 in constructing your response. (2004)

Know the Time PeriodKnow the Time Period

Stay within the time period!!! However, background outside

information and consequential information are great outside the time ! (Hint: info from outside the time period

should be in the introduction or conclusion only)

Stay within the time period!!! However, background outside

information and consequential information are great outside the time ! (Hint: info from outside the time period

should be in the introduction or conclusion only)

Know the Time PeriodKnow the Time Period

Cover the time span thoroughly

(In what ways and to what extent did constitutional and social developments between the years 1860 and 1877 amount to a revolution?)

Includes secession, Civil War and Reconstruction!!!

Cover the time span thoroughly

(In what ways and to what extent did constitutional and social developments between the years 1860 and 1877 amount to a revolution?)

Includes secession, Civil War and Reconstruction!!!

Know the Time PeriodKnow the Time Period

To what extent did the American Revolution funda-mentally change American society?

In your answer be sure to address the political, social, and economic effects of the Revolution in the period from 1775 to 1800? (2005)

• Includes Revolutionary War, the Confederation, AND 1790s

To what extent did the American Revolution funda-mentally change American society?

In your answer be sure to address the political, social, and economic effects of the Revolution in the period from 1775 to 1800? (2005)

• Includes Revolutionary War, the Confederation, AND 1790s

Next StepsNext Steps

List as much outside information as possible into identified categories FIRST!

Then begin to formulate your argument

List as much outside information as possible into identified categories FIRST!

Then begin to formulate your argument

Finally!!Finally!!

Answer all parts of the question!!!

Example: In what ways did the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson respond to the political, economic, and social problems of the United States? Assess the effectiveness of these responses.

Answer all parts of the question!!!

Example: In what ways did the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson respond to the political, economic, and social problems of the United States? Assess the effectiveness of these responses.

Rule of ThreeRule of Three

Three parts of the essay Introduction and Thesis Main Points Conclusion

Three Main Points Three pieces of evidence for each main

point (for FRQs = outside information) For DBQs, three documents per main point

Three parts of the essay Introduction and Thesis Main Points Conclusion

Three Main Points Three pieces of evidence for each main

point (for FRQs = outside information) For DBQs, three documents per main point

The ProcessThe Process

Understand the question The prompt The details The time period

Collect or list ideas/evidence/outside info in groups

Develop the thesis

Understand the question The prompt The details The time period

Collect or list ideas/evidence/outside info in groups

Develop the thesis

The ProcessThe Process The introduction

Introduce the topic & time period Background info Don’t try to be too sophisticated – don’t worry

about creating a strong hook Transitions

Connect sentences together Connect paragraphs together

The main body Clear topic sentences Refer back to main thesis Show how your evidence supports the topic –

DON’T simply describe the evidence

The introduction Introduce the topic & time period Background info Don’t try to be too sophisticated – don’t worry

about creating a strong hook Transitions

Connect sentences together Connect paragraphs together

The main body Clear topic sentences Refer back to main thesis Show how your evidence supports the topic –

DON’T simply describe the evidence

The ProcessThe Process Conclusion

Summarize your arguments Refer back to the thesis Create significance

Look into the future – what repercussions will there be?

Connect to the past – was this the logical outcome of some earlier, pivotal decision?

Conclusion Summarize your arguments Refer back to the thesis Create significance

Look into the future – what repercussions will there be?

Connect to the past – was this the logical outcome of some earlier, pivotal decision?