Keys to Writing in AP History

Two Essay Types

¨ Free Response Question (or FRQ)

¨ “Long Essay”

¨ Document-Based Question (or DBQ)

¨ A long essay…just based on primary sources rather than solely memory

FRQ / Long Essay

¨ Most basically:– 4-6 paragraph essay assessing your knowledge

of history

¨ But also emphasizes:– Cause & effect or– Compare & contrast or– Change & continuity / Periodization

Historical Writing

¨ Answering the prompt– Also known as “argumentation”

¨ Evidence

¨ Analysis

¨ Thesis

Now for the sake of clarity, some definitions

AP = Answer the Prompt

¨ All elements of essay (evidence, analysis, & thesis) must answer the prompt!!!

AP = Answer the Prompt

¨ Understanding the question & answering the question as asked is key to success– Circle key words in the question:

• Time frame• Topic• Historical skill (cause/effect, comparison, ccot)

– Consider:1. What time period is the question referencing?

2. What do I know about this time period?

3. What is the motive behind the question?

¨ Evaluate the extent to which trans-Atlantic interactions from 1600 to 1763 contributed to continuity as well as fostering change in labor systems in the British North American colonies.

Evidence

¨ Also known as: “examples,” “facts,” or “supporting details.”

– Names of people, events, laws, treaties, etc

These are vocab terms, key concepts, things that follow “such as” in a sentence!

Analysis

¨ Author’s reasoning that connects their claim / answer to the prompt and their evidence

– Makes thought processes visible

Explicitly or implicitly answers the question “why” or follows “because” in a sentence

Thesis

Thesis

¨ 1-3 sentences in the introduction that states the author’s central claim, argument, or assertion

Summarizes the how and why of the essay

Thesis

¨ Must fulfil 4 basic criteria:– Precise– Accurate– Analytical– Answers all parts of the prompt

Thesis

¨ As a result, it should:– Restate the time period & topic of prompt– Offer a definitive answer to the prompt rather

than simply restating the prompt– Outline 2-4 controlling ideas that act as a

roadmap for the body paragraphs to come

¨ Formula:– X. A,B,C. Y.

Thesis

X. A,B,C. Y.¨ X = the claim / argument / assertion

¨ A,B,C = the “How” / controlling ideas / roadmap

¨ Y = the “Why”

Thesis

¨ Have to find the happy medium b/t too broad & too detailed

How did World War II affect the allied powers?

¨ World War II benefitted the allied powers.¨ World War II benefitted the allied powers economically,

politically, and socially.¨ World War II benefitted the allied powers between 1945

and today by allowing European factories to rebuild with the latest technologies, establishing a lasting peace between nations, and reducing overpopulation.

¨ Although World War II benefitted the United States by ending the Great Depression, since 1945 its devastation can be seen in Europe through... ____ and ____.

NO

NO

YES

YES

Compare the contemporary U.S. & Japan¨ …both have plentiful forests, but one is in

N. America & the other is in Asia.¨ …have similar economies, but different

militaries.¨ …both have economies based on service

and technology industries, but the U.S. is more able to project its power internationally than Japan.

NO

NO

YES

Grading

Grading

¨ In part:– Checklist of requirements– Known as “value-added” because given credit

for what is done well rather than losing points¨ But also:

– Demands synthesis to maximize scores• Consistently go next step• Combine new information• Often found in clincher of paragraphs or conclusion

Maximize Scores

Maximizing scores

¨ Generally = synthesis– 3 types:

• Counterarguments• Expanding to relevant themes not explicitly

mentioned in prompt• Contextualizing historical developments with other

places or time periods

Maximize Scores¨ In general:

– Mostert Rule of 3• 3 prong thesis (& thus 3 body paragraphs)• 3 pieces of evidence per paragraph• 3 attempts at synthesis

¨ Answering Prompt– Always causes & effects, changes &

continuities, similarities & differences– Also consider process & “why”

• Why did __ cause __? Why did __ change? Why did __ stay the same? Why are __ & __ similar?

Maximize Scores

¨ Evidence– All be as specific as possible– Balance examples throughout entire time period– Also consider related themes not explicitly

asked for in prompt¨ Analysis

– Should probably have analysis / reasoning for every piece of evidence

– Best if alternated with examples– Also consider analyzing larger context

Maximize Scores¨ Analysis

– Context (like “setting” of novel) = space / time• Explain how broader area impacted development or

explain how development impacted broader area

OR• Explain how later eras impacted development or

explain how development impacted later eras

• About making connections

Maximize Scores

¨ Thesis– Also consider counterarguments as well.– Excellent theses are typically more complex

and nuanced in thought and understanding of history.

Putting it together

Paragraphs1. Topic Sentence (identifying thesis prong)

2. Evidence from early in period

3. Analysis

4. Evidence from middle of period

5. Analysis

6. Evidence from end of period

7. Analysis

8. The Clincher - Context – (significance/connection to broader ideas)