WRITING IN AP HISTORY

On the AP exam there are two types of essay questions• FRQs – Free Response Questions

There are four questions total 2 from US1, 2 from USII You choose one question from each category 35 minutes each (5-10 planning, 25-30 writing)

• DBQ – Document Based Question 1 question 60 minutes total

THIS IS CHANGING!!!!!!

What is a DBQ? • The required DBQ differs from the standard essays in its emphasis on your

ability to analyze and synthesize historical data and assess verbal, quantitative, or pictorial materials as historical evidence. Like the standard essays, however, the DBQ is judged on its thesis and argument.

Although confined to no single format, the documents are unlikely to be the familiar classics (such as the Emancipation Proclamation or the Declaration of Independence), but their authors may be major historical figures. The documents vary in length and are chosen to illustrate the interactions and complexities of the historical process. They may include charts, graphs, cartoons, and pictures, as well as written materials.

• The DBQ typically requires students to relate the documents to a historical period or theme and thus to focus on major periods and issues. For this reason, outside knowledge -- information gained from materials other than the documents -- is very important and must be incorporated into your essay if the highest scores are to be earned.

How to write a

How to write a

DD BB QQ

There is a 15 minute mandatory reading

(brainstorming) period at the beginning of the DBQ for a

reason

It is recommended that you spent 45 minutes writing the

DBQ

(1 hour total)

There is a 15 minute mandatory reading

(brainstorming) period at the beginning of the DBQ for a

reason

It is recommended that you spent 45 minutes writing the

DBQ

(1 hour total)

GOOD WRITING IS CLEAR THINKING!!!!!

1. Read it three times. Do not move on until you are sure you understand it.

2. Identify the task by underlining the key words (Identify, Evaluate, Analyze, Determine to what extent…)

3. Ask yourself:

- Do you understand the terms of the question?

- What is the question asking you to do?

- On what time period should your answer focus?

4. Outline the question

STEP 1: Dissect the QuestionSTEP 1: Dissect the Question

1. Write down any ideas/information that may be related to the question.

2. Be sure to include Capital Letter Evidence, including names, dates, places, events, vocabulary…

STEP 2: Brainstorm outside info

STEP 2: Brainstorm outside info

STEP 3: Categorize Outside Info

• Categories will be determined on the question being asked

• Think pro/con, federal/state, foreign/domestic, regional differences?

• Consider: • Political

• Economic

• Social

• Religious

• Intellectual

• Artistic

STEP 4: Write your tentative thesis• What is your position? Criteria?

• Does your thesis answer HOW & WHY? • Writing Thesis Resources• http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/

545/01/• http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/t

hesis.html

If your thesis is confusing, your essay will be

confusing

1. You can have as many paragraphs as you need!

2. Organize your paragraphs around your position and criteria and/or your concepts

3. List all of your O.I. and documents

4. Remember, you want to use most of the documents!

Step 5: Outline Your EssayStep 5: Outline Your Essay

Author - Who created the source? What do you know about the author? What is the author's point of view?Place and time - Where and when was the source produced? How might this affect the meaning of the source?Prior knowledge - Beyond information about the author and the context of its creation, what do you know that would help you further understand the primary source?Audience - For whom was the source created and how might this affect the reliability of the source?Reason - Why was this source produced at the time it was produced?The Main Idea - What point is the source trying to convey?Significance - Why is this source important? Inferences…

STEP 6: Read the DocumentsSTEP 6: Read the DocumentsQuestions to Ask Yourself About

the DocumentsQuestions to Ask Yourself About

the Documents

1. Include the documents that are relevant to support the ideas in the paragraph.

2.Use most of the documents given.

Remember, docs. can be used in a variety of ways!

Step 7: Add relevant documents to your outline

Step 7: Add relevant documents to your outline

STEP 8: Review Thesis

Update your thesis statement based on the combined

content of the documents and

your prior knowledge (if

needed)

STEP 8: Review Thesis

Update your thesis statement based on the combined

content of the documents and

your prior knowledge (if

needed)

Step 9: WRITE LIKE CRAZY!!!!

Carousel Brainstorming

Round 1: Dissect Question, list important words

Round 2: Edit Question, List CLE/OI

Round 3: Add CLE, categorize/conceptualize “BUCKET”

Round 4: Edit CLE/categorization. Write Thesis

Round 5: Evaluate Thesis; Does it directly answer all parts of the question?

H.W. Outline DBQ, THEN read docs, keeping in mind APPARTS

Carousel Brainstorming

Round 1: Dissect Question, list important words

Round 2: Edit Question, List CLE/OI

Round 3: Add CLE, categorize/conceptualize “BUCKET”

Round 4: Edit CLE/categorization. Write Thesis

Round 5: Evaluate Thesis; Does it directly answer all parts of the question?

H.W. Outline DBQ, THEN read docs, keeping in mind APPARTS

Writing Format of

Writing Format of

DD BB QQ

The “Top Bun” of your essay!

4-6 sentences

Introductory Paragraph

Introductory Paragraph

1. Establish TIME & PLACE.

2. Create a clear, THESIS STATEMENT.[underline or highlight it!]

3. Allude to the SUB-TOPICS or categories you will discuss to support your thesis statement

4. Focus on the question at hand—do NOT begin with a “flowery” sentence!

The Introductory ParagraphThe Introductory Paragraph

No “laundry list!”

The “tasty” part of your essay!

8-12 sentences+ per paragraph

The “”Meat”” ParagraphsThe “”Meat”” Paragraphs

1. Identify your sub-topic or category in the first sentence – RELATE TO THESIS.

2. Include the documents that are relevant to support the ideas in the paragraph.

3. Use most of the documents given.

4. Bring in supportive outside information. This is critical!! Make sure to have a balance!

* o.i.’s = “outside information”

5. Explain, why were these documents selected?

The “”Meat”” ParagraphsThe “”Meat”” Paragraphs

1. Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet, Common Sense, said: “………………….”

2. Joe Smith, a mid-Western delegate to the Republican convention in 1912, agreed with…..

3. The 19c historian, Frederick Jackson Turner, felt that …………………. (Doc. E)

NEVER begin with: In Document 3, …

How to Reference a Document in Your Essay

How to Reference a Document in Your Essay

The “Bottom Bun” of your essay!

It holds it all together!

3-4 sentences

The Concluding Paragraph

The Concluding Paragraph

1. Start with a “concluding phrase.”

2. Restate your thesis statement a bit differently.

3. Put your essay answer in a larger historical perspective.

End of some trend/movement/idea, etc.

Beginning of some trend/movement/idea

End of one & beginning of another.

Do NOT end on the note that this is the reason we are where we are today!

The Concluding” ParagraphThe Concluding” Paragraph

Put It All Together, And . . . .Put It All Together, And . . . .

Now, Go & Write Your Essay AndDazzle Me

With Your Brilliance!

Now, Go & Write Your Essay AndDazzle Me

With Your Brilliance!

YOU

CAN

DO

IT!!

YOU

CAN

DO

IT!!

The Question• Although the New England and Chesapeake region were both

settled largely by people of English origin, by 1700 the regions had evolved into two distinct societies. Why did this difference in development occur?

• Use the documents AND your knowledge of the time period up to 1700 to develop your answer.

• Although New England and the Chesapeake regions were both settled mainly by people of English origin, by 1700 the regions had evolved into two distinct societies.

By 1700, the Chesapeake and New England colonies developed into two distinct societies.

What is wrong with this thesis?

What is your position? What is your criteria?

It doesn’t answer how or why there are 2 distinct societies

By 1700, the Chesapeake and New England colonies developed into two distinct societies due to their motives for coming to America.

What is wrong with this thesis?

Doesn’t say what their motives are, or how motives created different societies

By 1700, the Chesapeake and New England colonies developed into two distinct societies. The Chesapeake society developed more as a result of English citizens who were looking for wealth while the New England society developed as a society based on religion.

What is wrong with this thesis?

Answers WHY but not HOW.

The Chesapeake society developed as a result of English citizens who were looking to become wealthy while New England developed because of religion, which can be examined by analyzing the social and political systems that developed in the regions before 1700.

What is wrong with this thesis?

Underline = Position you are taking as to why the colonies developed differently

Circle = criteria being used to prove position•

Organization of Essay• P1• New England – Religion – Social Structure

• P2• New England – Religion – Political Structure

• P3 • Chesapeake – Wealth – Social Structure

• P4• Chesapeake – Wealth – Political Structure

The New England & Chesapeake colonies developed into two distinct societies which led to differences in the social, political, religious and economic structures of each society.

What is wrong with this thesis?

The New England & Chesapeake colonies developed into two distinct societies due to the make up of the initial settlers, which led to differences in the social, religious and economic structures of each society.

What is wrong with this thesis?

The New England & Chesapeake colonies developed into two distinct societies due to make up of the initial settlers, which led to differences in the political and economic structures of each society.

What is wrong with this thesis?

What was the initial make up?

The New England & Chesapeake colonies developed into two distinct societies because New England was settled by families, while the Chesapeake was settled by gold-seeking men, leading to differences in the political economic and social structures of each society.

What is wrong with this thesis?

Underline = Position you are taking as to why the colonies developed differently

Circle = criteria being used to prove position•

4. Outline the Essay• Without looking at documents

Organization• P1• New England – Families – Political Structure

• P2• New England – Families – economic structure

• P3• New England – Families – Social Structure

• P4• Chesapeake – gold-seeking men– Political Structure

• P5• Chesapeake – gold-seeking men– Economic Structure

• P6• Chesapeake – gold-seeking men– Social Structure

• The geographic and religious differences of the regions led to different economic and political structures.

• What is wrong with this thesis? • What are the geographic & religious differences?

• Although New England and the Chesapeake regions were both settled by people of English origin, by 1700 the regions evolved into two distinct societies because the Chesapeake climate & soil was suited to establishing large plantations, while New England colonies soil was rocky and difficult to cultivate. This led to the regions developing different political and social structures.

Organization

• By 1700 the New England and Chesapeake colonies developed into two distinct societies in spite the fact they were both settled by people of English origin, because upon arrival, the New English set up a theocracy while the Chesapeake colonists established a government based on wealth and aristocracy, leading differences in the economic and political structures of the colonies.

Organization

5. Documents• Analyze all documents• Look at title, date & author• Why are they significant? • Why do they show?

• Fit as many documents as you can into your already outlined essay. • Each document does different things so try to use most if not all

of them. • Try to cite the document by type

• “As the map (document B) indicates…and as the cartoon (document D) shows…” Or by name: “As Hamilton argued, the National Bank was essential for national growth.”

• If possible, like brief descriptions to the names you use. • “Alexander Stephens, a Whig senator from Georgia, noted in the

Southern Literary Journal that the South…”

6. Strive for Balance• While coverage of the documents is important, but the

INCLUSION OF OUTSIDE INFORMATION IS CRITICAL. Strive for balance.

Preferred Approach• State your thesis clearly and directly in the first paragraph.• Write a paragraph setting the scene and demonstrating

outside knowledge• Finally, move on to support your thesis with a nice blend of

SPECIFIC information from both documents and outside sources.

• Write a concession paragraph and conclusion.