October 24, 2013October 24, 2013October 24, 2013October 24, 2013

Objective: What do we need in order to write a strong Free Response essay for class and the exam?

Warm-Up: Take a look at the handout on the essays for the APUSH exam. Highlight important information about the structure of the essays on the test. Be prepared to answer this question:

What components are essential to writing a “5” essay on the APUSH exam?

Objective: What do we need in order to write a strong Free Response essay for class and the exam?

Warm-Up: Take a look at the handout on the essays for the APUSH exam. Highlight important information about the structure of the essays on the test. Be prepared to answer this question:

What components are essential to writing a “5” essay on the APUSH exam?

What is an FRQ?What is an FRQ?What is an FRQ?What is an FRQ?

FRQ stands for Free Response Question

You will be asked to write 2 separate FRQs on the AP exam in May

FRQ stands for Free Response Question

You will be asked to write 2 separate FRQs on the AP exam in May

The AP Exam – Free The AP Exam – Free Response SectionResponse Section

The AP Exam – Free The AP Exam – Free Response SectionResponse Section

Time Limit: 130 minutes

Percent of Total Exam Score: 50%

PART A: 1 DBQ (Document Based Question)

Suggested Time: 15 minutes reading & 45 minutes writing

Counts for 22.5% of total score

We’ll talk more about this essay at a later date

PART B: 2 FRQs (Free Response Question)

Suggested Time: 5 minutes reading & 30 minutes writing each

Each essay counts as 13.75% of total score Standard essays chosen from two groups of questions each

containing two choices (four questions)

Time Limit: 130 minutes

Percent of Total Exam Score: 50%

PART A: 1 DBQ (Document Based Question)

Suggested Time: 15 minutes reading & 45 minutes writing

Counts for 22.5% of total score

We’ll talk more about this essay at a later date

PART B: 2 FRQs (Free Response Question)

Suggested Time: 5 minutes reading & 30 minutes writing each

Each essay counts as 13.75% of total score Standard essays chosen from two groups of questions each

containing two choices (four questions)

Format of FRQsFormat of FRQsFormat of FRQsFormat of FRQsThe FRQ is your standard essay

Typically, many students use the 5 paragraph essay template

However, do not feel confined to that! You may write as many or as few paragraphs as you need to fully answer the prompt

You will need to write a strong thesis statement in your intro paragraph

Though a conclusion is the cherry-on-top, it is not necessary as long as you have proven your thesis throughout your essay I only say this because some students spend so much time writing

the bulk of their essay & don’t get to the conclusion.

If you run out of time, do not worry about not finishing – worry more about fully answering the question throughout the body of your essay

The FRQ is your standard essay

Typically, many students use the 5 paragraph essay template

However, do not feel confined to that! You may write as many or as few paragraphs as you need to fully answer the prompt

You will need to write a strong thesis statement in your intro paragraph

Though a conclusion is the cherry-on-top, it is not necessary as long as you have proven your thesis throughout your essay I only say this because some students spend so much time writing

the bulk of their essay & don’t get to the conclusion.

If you run out of time, do not worry about not finishing – worry more about fully answering the question throughout the body of your essay

History Essay Writing TipsHistory Essay Writing TipsHistory Essay Writing TipsHistory Essay Writing TipsAlways think of your reader

Do not use contractions

Write in the 3rd person First person = I, we, our, us, me, mine, my

Second person = you, your

Write in the past tense

Do not try to be cute

Use STANDARD ENGLISH!

Use correct historical terms i.e. “normalcy” is not a standard English word, but it is a

historical term

Facts are names, dates, people, events, places, things

Always think of your reader

Do not use contractions

Write in the 3rd person First person = I, we, our, us, me, mine, my

Second person = you, your

Write in the past tense

Do not try to be cute

Use STANDARD ENGLISH!

Use correct historical terms i.e. “normalcy” is not a standard English word, but it is a

historical term

Facts are names, dates, people, events, places, things

Terms Often Used in AP Terms Often Used in AP Essay QuestionsEssay Questions

Terms Often Used in AP Terms Often Used in AP Essay QuestionsEssay Questions

Assess the validity of… To estimate, to appraise the value of

Analyze the… Separate into parts or principles and examine each part

Compare and/or… How much alike

Contrast the… How much different

Criticize the… Make judgments as to merit and faults

Degree to which… One step or stage in a progression

Define the… Say what something is; give its meaning

Assess the validity of… To estimate, to appraise the value of

Analyze the… Separate into parts or principles and examine each part

Compare and/or… How much alike

Contrast the… How much different

Criticize the… Make judgments as to merit and faults

Degree to which… One step or stage in a progression

Define the… Say what something is; give its meaning

Terms Often Used in AP Terms Often Used in AP Essay QuestionsEssay Questions

Terms Often Used in AP Terms Often Used in AP Essay QuestionsEssay Questions

Discuss the…

Talk about; write about; consider or examine

Describe the…

What does it look like; create a mental picture

Extent: To what extent…

The range over which something goes; how far

Evaluate the…

Ascertain or fix the worth of

Explain the…

To make plain, comprehensible, make clear by detail

Illustrate…

Explain or make clear by using examples

Discuss the…

Talk about; write about; consider or examine

Describe the…

What does it look like; create a mental picture

Extent: To what extent…

The range over which something goes; how far

Evaluate the…

Ascertain or fix the worth of

Explain the…

To make plain, comprehensible, make clear by detail

Illustrate…

Explain or make clear by using examples

Terms Often Used in AP Terms Often Used in AP Essay QuestionsEssay Questions

Terms Often Used in AP Terms Often Used in AP Essay QuestionsEssay Questions

Justify… Use evidence to prove something is right, wrong, or just

Prove… Establish the truth of something by providing factual

evidence

Reasons for… The motives for actions or inaction

Relative importance of… Having pertinence; connected to

Valid or validity… How sound, how well-grounded, how good is the stated

premise

Justify… Use evidence to prove something is right, wrong, or just

Prove… Establish the truth of something by providing factual

evidence

Reasons for… The motives for actions or inaction

Relative importance of… Having pertinence; connected to

Valid or validity… How sound, how well-grounded, how good is the stated

premise

General Scoring Guideline General Scoring Guideline for APUSHfor APUSH

General Scoring Guideline General Scoring Guideline for APUSHfor APUSH

The 8-9 Essay Contains a clear, well-developed thesis that addresses all parts of the

questions

Provide substantial relevant information in support of the thesis

Provides effective analysis addressing all parts of the question

May contain minor errors

Is well organized and well written

The 5-7 Essay Contains a thesis that may be partially developed and addresses

most parts of the question

Supports the thesis with some relevant information

Provides some analysis of most parts of the question

May contain errors that do not seriously detract from the essay

Has acceptable organization and writing

The 8-9 Essay Contains a clear, well-developed thesis that addresses all parts of the

questions

Provide substantial relevant information in support of the thesis

Provides effective analysis addressing all parts of the question

May contain minor errors

Is well organized and well written

The 5-7 Essay Contains a thesis that may be partially developed and addresses

most parts of the question

Supports the thesis with some relevant information

Provides some analysis of most parts of the question

May contain errors that do not seriously detract from the essay

Has acceptable organization and writing

General Scoring Guideline General Scoring Guideline for APUSHfor APUSH

General Scoring Guideline General Scoring Guideline for APUSHfor APUSHThe 2-4 Essay

Contains a thesis that may be underdeveloped or poorly developed

Includes minimal information relevant to the question

Provides little or no analysis, or contains on generalizations

May contain major errors

May be poorly organized and/or poorly written

The 0-1 Essay Lacks a thesis or restates the question

Has little or no relevant information regarding the question

Has little or no understanding of the question

May contain numerous errors

Is poorly organized and/or poorly written

The – Essay Is blank or completely off task

The 2-4 Essay Contains a thesis that may be underdeveloped or poorly developed

Includes minimal information relevant to the question

Provides little or no analysis, or contains on generalizations

May contain major errors

May be poorly organized and/or poorly written

The 0-1 Essay Lacks a thesis or restates the question

Has little or no relevant information regarding the question

Has little or no understanding of the question

May contain numerous errors

Is poorly organized and/or poorly written

The – Essay Is blank or completely off task

Before You Begin to Write:Before You Begin to Write:Before You Begin to Write:Before You Begin to Write:1. Carefully read the question to make sure you

understand what it is asking you to do.

Pay careful attention to the TASK WORDS in the question

Look closely at the CHRONOLOGY (time periods) of the question

Many students write great essays that unfortunately don’t answer the question that was asked! You must discuss those time periods, locations, and topics that apply to the question and only those!

2. Take a few minutes to review what you already know about the question and develop a thesis statement

3. Write a brief outline of your essay before you begin to write

1. Carefully read the question to make sure you understand what it is asking you to do.

Pay careful attention to the TASK WORDS in the question

Look closely at the CHRONOLOGY (time periods) of the question

Many students write great essays that unfortunately don’t answer the question that was asked! You must discuss those time periods, locations, and topics that apply to the question and only those!

2. Take a few minutes to review what you already know about the question and develop a thesis statement

3. Write a brief outline of your essay before you begin to write

The IntroductionThe IntroductionThe IntroductionThe IntroductionThis is where you make your first impression on

the reader. Therefore, it is important that you have a strong introduction that defines your thesis and your argument.

Your essay should be clearly organized around a thesis statement. The thesis should clearly respond to the question, without

directly repeating it

Should represent your own original interpretation or analysis of the information

Should make a clear argument

Does not need to be the first sentence of your introduction and, in fact, provides better essay organization if it is the last sentence in your introduction.

This is where you make your first impression on the reader. Therefore, it is important that you have a strong introduction that defines your thesis and your argument.

Your essay should be clearly organized around a thesis statement. The thesis should clearly respond to the question, without

directly repeating it

Should represent your own original interpretation or analysis of the information

Should make a clear argument

Does not need to be the first sentence of your introduction and, in fact, provides better essay organization if it is the last sentence in your introduction.

The IntroductionThe IntroductionThe IntroductionThe Introduction

Define important terms (i.e. humanism, secular, absolutism) to demonstrate that you understand the question and the essay topics.

Provide a concise statement (no more than 1 sentence) that places the essay topic in its historical context

Clearly identify the supporting arguments that you will use in your essay. Again, make sure you are responding to all parts of the question

After reading your introduction, your reader should know exactly what your argument is (your thesis) and how you are going to prove it (your supporting arguments) – sometimes called a “preview”

Define important terms (i.e. humanism, secular, absolutism) to demonstrate that you understand the question and the essay topics.

Provide a concise statement (no more than 1 sentence) that places the essay topic in its historical context

Clearly identify the supporting arguments that you will use in your essay. Again, make sure you are responding to all parts of the question

After reading your introduction, your reader should know exactly what your argument is (your thesis) and how you are going to prove it (your supporting arguments) – sometimes called a “preview”

Other TipsOther TipsOther TipsOther TipsBe sure to write with “voice” in your essay.

In other words, pretend that you have some authority on the subject. Make sure to take a stand in your answer and not be wishy-washy.

Be sure that your essay includes historical facts to prove your thesis. However, “data dumping” will not gain you any extra points and can

result in a lowering of your score. It also runs the risk of you including incorrect data which would hurt your overall score.

Avoid broad survey questions. They appear easy because you know a lot of information about them.

However, they are often the most challenging because of the breadth required to answer them effectively. Writing a provable thesis can pose real problems for these types of questions

Content is critical, but so is your presentation Be attentive to grammar, syntax, spelling, penmanship, etc. A well-

written essay is much easier to understand than a poorly written essay

Be sure to write with “voice” in your essay. In other words, pretend that you have some authority on the subject.

Make sure to take a stand in your answer and not be wishy-washy.

Be sure that your essay includes historical facts to prove your thesis. However, “data dumping” will not gain you any extra points and can

result in a lowering of your score. It also runs the risk of you including incorrect data which would hurt your overall score.

Avoid broad survey questions. They appear easy because you know a lot of information about them.

However, they are often the most challenging because of the breadth required to answer them effectively. Writing a provable thesis can pose real problems for these types of questions

Content is critical, but so is your presentation Be attentive to grammar, syntax, spelling, penmanship, etc. A well-

written essay is much easier to understand than a poorly written essay

FRQFRQFRQFRQ

For the next 10 minutes, use the post-its provided to you to do the following:

Take your HW and essays you completed for HW and respond to each prompt on poster paper.

You can add a phrase or sentence that you think would make the essay or significane of something more clear.

Place your post-it in a spot that shows a logical, clear flow.

At the end, you will work in groups to use the ideas from the post-its and write a “5” essay.

For the next 10 minutes, use the post-its provided to you to do the following:

Take your HW and essays you completed for HW and respond to each prompt on poster paper.

You can add a phrase or sentence that you think would make the essay or significane of something more clear.

Place your post-it in a spot that shows a logical, clear flow.

At the end, you will work in groups to use the ideas from the post-its and write a “5” essay.

Group Essay WritingGroup Essay WritingGroup Essay WritingGroup Essay Writing

In groups, use the poster paper and post-its to do the following:

Write a thesis statement

Begin to outline and organize the information on the poster paper (As if it were the outline for your own essay)

Each group member should take that information and begin to write a paper incorporating the ideas on the poster paper

In groups, use the poster paper and post-its to do the following:

Write a thesis statement

Begin to outline and organize the information on the poster paper (As if it were the outline for your own essay)

Each group member should take that information and begin to write a paper incorporating the ideas on the poster paper

ClosureClosureClosureClosure

What did you notice about the essay you wrote in your group?

What did you group do that was different than what you would normally do on your own?

What is something you would have liked more guidance on?

What did you notice about the essay you wrote in your group?

What did you group do that was different than what you would normally do on your own?

What is something you would have liked more guidance on?