A.P.U.S.H. Essay Skills Summary Source: Newman, J.J. & Schmalbach, J.M. (2006). United States History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination. New York: Amsco School Publications, Inc.

All essays will be evaluated on: A clear and well-developed thesis Thesis supported with relevant and substantial historical evidence Understands the complexity of the question Effectively analyzes all parts of the question, does not simply describe Essay is free of significant errors

Free Response Essays You will be required to answer two standard essays—one from Part B and one from Part C. Part B generally deals with the Civil War Era Part C generally deals with the period after the Civil War. You are advised to spend 5 minutes planning and 30 minutes writing your essay.

The essays will be graded on a generic 9 point scale recommended by the College Board. I will convert the scale to fit our 100 point grading system. I will give you an example of the rubric when we begin practicing the essay writing skill.

Writing the Standard Essay Question 1. Analyze the Question What are the key words? Evaluate, assess, analyze, etc. You have to make a “judgment” that results in your thesis. Identify all parts of the question. “Evaluate the relative importance of domestic and foreign affairs in shaping American politics in the 1790s.”

2. Organize the information You are recommended to spend 5 minutes planning—use it! Make a brief outline of your essay in the test booklet List facts pertaining to the question (both supporting and against your thesis)

3. Develop a thesis Do NOT restate the question You must make a judgment and interpret what you know about history to state your case You will be graded on your ability to interpret historical evidence and then support your interpretation

4. Write the introductory paragraph Contains three elements: Background to the main ideas or points of the essay Thesis statement Introduction to the main ideas or points of the essay to be developed in the supporting paragraphs By the end of this paragraph, the reader should know your thesis and have a clear idea of the main points to follow that will support the thesis

5. Write the supporting paragraphs and conclusion Remember to include specific historical evidence to support your thesis that is relevant and thoroughly analyzed Goal is not to complete a certain number of pages (although longer essays usually demonstrate better supported papers) but to write an insightful and well-supported paper

Other tips Write in third-person Anticipate counterarguments—show in the essay that you are aware of opposing points of view Remain objective

6. Evaluate your essay The teacher will evaluate your essays but you will also be responsible for doing a self-evaluation Eventually we will do peer evaluations for insightful feedback. Will use the worksheet : Evaluation of the Standard Essay and the Teacher Scoring Rubric

DBQ You approach the DBQ the same as you would a Free Response Question. Difference: You must also use and interpret the provided primary source documents in your argument. Focus not on the documents but on a strong thesis.

First write down everything you know about the topic BEFORE you begin reading and taking notes on the primary source documents. You must include both your background knowledge and supporting evidence from the documents. Don’t forget this! Use the mandatory 15 mns to read, make notes, and make an outline to organize your essay.

Brief references to the documents will suffice, i.e. (document A) Use the documents to: As an additional form of evidence As a way of demonstrating that you can handle conflicting evidence and points of view. The documents do not control the essay—you do! Use them to understand and support your thesis. Brief references to the documents will suffice, i.e. (document A)

Make sure you set the historical scene using your outside information Make sure you set the historical scene using your outside information. Probably best to do in the 2nd paragraph. Then use as many documents as you can. Part of your job is to demonstrate good judgment about the sources.

DON’T FORGET TO ANSWER ALL PARTS OF THE DBQ AND DEAL WITH THE FULL COMPLEXITY OF THE QUESTION. “To what extent did economic and political developments, as well as assumptions about the nature of women, affect the position of America during the period 1890-1925?” What are the 3 parts to this question?

We will slowly build up the DBQ writing skills as the first semester goes until we are doing full DBQ’s in class or at home on a regular basis.