Essay Hints for AP Exam Read the question carefully. Mark it up and make sure you identify the key parts of the question.

Essay Hints for AP Exam I. Thesis  Answer the question directly and include the major points you will be elaborating upon later in your essay.  E.g., “The Mongols were able to conquer so much land so quickly because they had leadership which deviated from its traditional forms, possessed superior military technology, and had innovative strategies which caused many foes to surrender without a fight.”

Essay Hints for AP Exam II. Evidence Back up major ideas with specific evidence.  Specific facts and specific examples strengthen your argument.  E.g., “Ghenghis Khan was a highly effective leader. One example of his leadership can be seen in...”

Essay Hints for AP Exam III. Analysis  After you give evidence, explain to the reader what that evidence actually proves. How did the evidence you provided CAUSE the idea you are arguing.  E.g., “By using these techniques, Genghis Khan developed an efficient, feared fighting force. He...

Beyond the Basics...  Group Your Documents  Leadership: use docs 1, 3, 4, 5  Technology: use docs 3,4,6,8  Use all docs., or all-but-one

Point-of-View “This document clearly shows the Mongols’ belief that they were superior to every other society and that they were superior to every other society and had the support of their gods. This gave them the had the support of their gods. This gave them the belief that they were invincible, as seen in...” belief that they were invincible, as seen in...”

Point-of-View, cont. Source: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, Fourteen Points, January 8, 1918 (Document 3) Source: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, Fourteen Points, January 8, 1918 (Document 3) “Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points (doc. 3), written while “Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points (doc. 3), written while the war was still going on and a full year before the treaty of Versailles, displays Wilson’s lofty idealism and a strong belief in self- determinism. The strong nationalistic fervor which shaped its brief military success during WWI are clearly reflected in the Fourteen Points. This point of view comes through in Wilson’s personal belief that colonial peoples like the Syrians had a right to determine their own fate and that the United States was willing to act on their behalf on the world stage... “

AP WH : DBQ Essays Besides basics: Besides basics: Request an additional document AND make sure to explain EXACTLY how the document would help Request an additional document AND make sure to explain EXACTLY how the document would help Request at least two: Request at least two: A document that will fill in a gap A document that will fill in a gap “One document that would help would be a memoir from a leader of a society that surrendered to the Mongols. This would help clarify why...” “One document that would help would be a memoir from a leader of a society that surrendered to the Mongols. This would help clarify why...” A document that will help establish validity or discredit an unsubstantiated document A document that will help establish validity or discredit an unsubstantiated document

AP WH : DBQ Essays Besides basics: Besides basics: Request an additional document AND make sure to explain EXACTLY how the document would help Request an additional document AND make sure to explain EXACTLY how the document would help Request at least two: Request at least two: A document that will help establish validity or discredit an unsubstantiated document A document that will help establish validity or discredit an unsubstantiated document Ex. Another document that would help would be one from a conquered peasant of a land that surrendered, specifically from the area described by __________. If the peasant described a similar land where all were at peace this would show that even though __________ was clearly trying to make his rule look good, there was some truth to his statements. If the peasant described a very different society it would make ________’s account even more questionable. Ex. Another document that would help would be one from a conquered peasant of a land that surrendered, specifically from the area described by __________. If the peasant described a similar land where all were at peace this would show that even though __________ was clearly trying to make his rule look good, there was some truth to his statements. If the peasant described a very different society it would make ________’s account even more questionable.

AP WH : “CCOT” Essays Clearly describe a beginning, a middle and an end to the time period asked about. Clearly describe a beginning, a middle and an end to the time period asked about. Explain BOTH Changes and Continuities Explain BOTH Changes and Continuities Explain WHY the Changes and Continuities occurred. Explain WHY the Changes and Continuities occurred.

AP WH : “CCOT” Essays Basics: Basics: Remember SEERS Remember SEERS 1) Social Class Systems and Gender - the development and transformation of social structures: gender roles and relations; family and kinship; racial and ethnic constructions; and social and economic classes. 1) Social Class Systems and Gender - the development and transformation of social structures: gender roles and relations; family and kinship; racial and ethnic constructions; and social and economic classes. 2) Economic Systems - the creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems: agriculural and pastoral production; trade and commerce; labor systems; industrialization; capitalism and socialism. 2) Economic Systems - the creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems: agriculural and pastoral production; trade and commerce; labor systems; industrialization; capitalism and socialism. 3) Environment - the interaction between humans and the environment: demography and disease; migration; patterns of settlement; and technology. 3) Environment - the interaction between humans and the environment: demography and disease; migration; patterns of settlement; and technology. 4) Religion and Culture - the development and interaction of cultures with regard to relgion; belief systems, philosophy, and ideologies; science and technology; and the arts and literature. 4) Religion and Culture - the development and interaction of cultures with regard to relgion; belief systems, philosophy, and ideologies; science and technology; and the arts and literature. 5) State-building, expansion, and conflict: political structures and forms of governance; empires; nations and nationalism; revolts and revolution; regional, transregional, and global structures and organizations. 5) State-building, expansion, and conflict: political structures and forms of governance; empires; nations and nationalism; revolts and revolution; regional, transregional, and global structures and organizations.