The Essay Question

Types of Essay Questions

• Document Based Question (DBQ)– Based on eight to ten primary sources plus

outside knowledge

• Free – Response Question (FRQ)– Four questions

= Two pre-1870 (select one)

= Two Post 1870 (select one)

What Are the AP Essay Graders Looking For?

• Answer the question

• Begin with a strong thesis

• Follow a reasonable outline

• The less confusing the better for the reader

• Be straightforward

• Readers are experts in history (don’t try to fool them)

What Are the AP Essay Graders Looking For?

• Focus on the question

• Make sure you answer the question being asked

• More that just facts – although important

• Reveal an understanding of the general principles – good analysis

• Big picture of American History

What Are the AP Essay Graders Looking For?

• Weave and understanding of content with analysis

• Originality of thought

• Interpretative history

What Are the AP Essay Graders Looking For? Summed Up

• Express good ideas

• Present valid evidence to support those ideas

• Strong developed thesis

• Quality of historical argument

• Each essay is only read for about two minutes

Things That Make Any Essay Better

Two Components

1. Plan what your are going to write

2. Use effective writing techniques

= Better organized

= Better thought out

= Better written

Before You Start Writing

• Read the question carefully

• Brainstorm for a couple of minutes

• Write facts, concepts and/or ideas that come to mind

• Decide on your thesis (point of argument)

• Organize information to fit thesis

Before You Start Writing• Aim for five paragraphs (although not an absolute)

• Paragraph 1: Introduction– Thesis– Summary of three basic argument

• Paragraphs 2 – 4: Body – Three arguments that support the thesis– Historical evidence

• Paragraph 5: Conclusion – Conclusion and wrap up– Restate thesis

Types of Arguments

• Three Good Points

• The Chronological Argument

• Similarities and Differences

• The “Watchdog” Argument

Arguments Continued

Organize essay

• First paragraph – addresses the question and states how you are going to answer it (Thesis)

• Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 – organized around a single argument by evidence thesis

• Paragraph 5 – Ties the essay into a neat package. Answer the question here!!!

Writing Guidelines

• Keep sentences as simple as possible

• Throw in a few big words but don’t over do it

• Write clearly and neatly

• Define your terms

• Use transitions words to show where you are going

Writing Guidelines Continued

• Use structural indicators to organize your paragraphs

• Stick to you outline

• Try to prove one big picture idea per paragraph

• Evidence, evidence, evidence

• Make sure the first and last paragraphs directly answer the question

Summary

• Answer the entire question

• Brainstorm, choose a thesis, develop an outline

• Follow your outline

• One important idea per paragraph

• Evidence, Evidence, Evidence

• Write clearly, neatly and to the point

Three Good Points• Simplest strategy

• From brainstorming select three best points

• Each point the subject of a paragraph

• Save strongest point for last

• Topic sentence – then support

• Opening paragraph – what you intend to argue

• Final paragraph – what you have proven

The Chronological Argument

• Certain questions lend themselves to this

• Transitions between paragraphs essential

• Paragraph two leads to paragraph three which leads to paragraph four

• Opening paragraph sets the path

• Closing paragraph restate essay question and answer it

Similarities and Differences I

• Comparison questions

• Start by setting a historical scene

• Each paragraph building an issue

• Last paragraph comparing and contrasting issues

Similarities and Differences II

• Question my provide options• Comparing political philosophies of two

presidents• Thesis states the essential differences between

their philosophies• One paragraph to each philosophy• Fourth paragraph – major differences and

similarities • Final paragraph – draw conclusions

Similarities and Differences III

• Start with a thesis

• Discuss three pertinent issues– Each president’s view

• Final paragraph – overview of your argument

The “Watchdog” Argument • Choose arguments opposite of yours• State their arguments, then tear them down• You do not have to prove you are correct• Paragraph 2 - Summarize your opponent’s

arguments in• Paragraph 3 – Search and destroy their arguments• Paragraph 4 – your argument• Showing both sides demonstrates you understand

history is complex