Writing a Free Response Question

U.S History

Evaluate OR Assess OR Analyze◦ Ranking◦ Cause and Effect

Discuss/Describe Questions Assess the Validity/To What Extent Compare and Contrast

◦ Compare=similarities ◦ Contrast=differences

Understanding the Question

Present good or bad points, appraise, give an opinion, discuss advantages or disadvantages

Example Question:◦ Identify THREE of the following and evaluate the

relative importance of each of the THREE in the decline of the Federalists and the ascent to power of the Jeffersonian Republicans: Midnight Judges The Alien and Sedition Acts The Twelfth Amendment The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Identify and Evaluate

Judge the value or character of something, evaluate, appraise◦ Assess the impact of THREE of the following in the

decline of the Federalists and the ascent to power of the Jeffersonian Republicans: Midnight Judges The Alien and Sedition Acts The Twelfth Amendment The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Assess

Determine essence of essential features, examine critically

◦ Analyze the impact of THREE of the following in the decline of the Federalists and the ascent to power of the Jeffersonian Republicans: Midnight Judges The Alien and Sedition Acts The Twelfth Amendment The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Analyze

Rank your selections, greatest to least importance◦ Example: The primary factor influencing the

decline of the Federalists and the ascent to power of the Jeffersonian Republicans was the passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts. The appointment of the midnight judges and discussions of the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions also contributed, in descending order of importance, to the transfer or power to govern.

Evaluate/Assess/Analyze

Cause and Effect◦ Discuss how events unfolded and the outcome of

those events.

Evaluate/Assess/Analyze

Compare and Contrast the presidencies of Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt. Which administration handled the problems it faced more effectively?◦ 1st Step: Brainstorm: make a list of their similarities and differences◦ Introductory sentences should address, broadly, their differences

similarities, and which one you think was more effective. Not looking for right or wrong opinion, looking for good supporting

information.

Compare and Contrast

The United States was admirably served in the presidency by Lincoln and F. Roosevelt. Both held fast to idealized visions of the future and led the nation on a successful moral crusade. However, it was Roosevelt’s administration, with its president’s vast communication skills, huge network of allies, and with unprecedented national unity that led to country through the Great Depression and WWII.

2nd Paragraph-Focus on similarities 3rd Paragraph-Focus on Differences 4th Paragraph-Defend position 5th-Conclusion, should not enter new information

Compare and Contrast

The change in British imperial policy after the French and Indian War was the critical factor in bringing about the American revolution. Discuss this change with respect to specific policies or acts of parliament from 1763 to 1775.

◦ Your answer must NOT include everything that you know about the relationship between Great Britain and their American colonies after the French and Indian War. FOCUS the essay only on British policies or acts of Parliament which you see as changes that brought about the American Revolution.

◦ Stay within the time frame. Discuss CAUSE and EFFECT as British policies changed.

Discuss/Describe Questions

Describe the major decisions made and the wartime conferences between the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. To what extent were these decisions responsible for the Cold War?◦ There is no time frame given, in specific years, so

you must bring in your own knowledge about when these conferences began and when they ended. Be sure to stay within the time frame.

Discuss/Describe Questions