WRITING SKILLS FOR AP US HISTORY

Types of QuestionsO There are 3 types of written responses on this exam

but you’re writing 6 TOTAL:O Short-answer questions (20%)

O4O45 minutes

O DBQ (Document-based question) (25%)O1O60 minutes

O LEQ (Long essay question) (15%)OGiven 2, pick 1O35 minutes

Short AnswerO ALL FOUR QUESTIONS will require students

to use historical thinking skills to respond to:O A primary sourceO A historian’s argumentO Nontextual sources such as a map or dataO General propositions about US history

O You can draw material from either from the source OR classroom instruction

O Roughly 150-250 words in lengthO Multiple part format so LABEL YOUR

ANSWERS!!!

Short AnswerO Stimulus based or non-stimulus

basedO STAY INSIDE THE BOX!O ~10 minutes each – 45 minutesO There will be 3 parts: A, B, CO LABEL your answers!!!!!!!!!!!!

Example

Document-based question (DBQ)

O An essay question that requires you to interpret primary source documentsO Vary in length and format

O Documents might include the following:

Newspaper articles/editorialsLetters/diariesSpeechesLegislation Political cartoonsCharts and graphs

Your job!O Analyze and synthesize historical data and to assess

verbal, quantitative, or visual materials as historical evidence

O Relate the documents together when applicable AND (and this is crucial) relate the documents to your extensive outside knowledge!!!O SHOW ME YOU KNOW THINGS!!!O COMPARE and CONTRASTO They will present opposing arguments, DUH!

O Provide a THESIS – a really, really, really good one

What is a Thesis Statement?

O Tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under consideration

O What your argument ISO Tells the reader what to expect from the

rest of the paperO MOST IMPORTANTLY: Answers the

question asked of youO It is NOT a restatement of the question!

AnalysisO Examine methodically and in detail

the constitution or structure of (something, especially information), typically for purposes of explanation and interpretation

O You do this with the documents when you PAAC

O You have to use ALL of the documents in your writing

DBQ Format

Long essay question (LEQ)

O You pick from 2 options – don’t answer BOTHO AIN’T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!!!

O Measures the use of historical thinking skills to explain and analyze significant issues in US history

O Same format as the DBQ only, guess what? No documents! It’s ALL YOUR KNOWLEDGE, so you better know stuff!

LEQ Format

As You Write the Body Paragraphs…Be certain you understand the question and fully attempt to answer itUse FACTS to support your THESIS/ARGUMENTLoad up essay with factsUse past tense consistently – HISTORY already happenedExplain why (SO WHAT) a fact is important Make connections to your THESIS/ARGUMENT

ALWAYSO Use thoughtful languageO Use accurate informationO In a DBQ – use all the documentsO WRITE A KICK ASS THESISO Write a conclusion with synthesisO ANSWER THE FREAKING QUESTION!!!O Proofread

NEVER!O Write your opinionO Quote the documents – they’re right

there!O Use pencilO Use first or second personO Use vague language