1. Essay Questions AP World History

2. General Information 2 nd Part of AP Test after Multiple Choice 50% of score 10 minute reading period –Green Booklet 2 hours to write 3 essays –This is an average of 40 minutes per essay –Pink Booklet

3. Types of Essays There are 3 different types of essays –Document-Based Question Essay (DBQ) –Change-Over-Time Essay (COT) –Comparative Essay (COMP) Each are weighted equally. You may write them in any order, but you should do the DBQ first because you will have had 10 minutes to read the documents.

4. Steps to Writing a Good Essay 1. Identify the Rubric 2. Read the Question Carefully 3. Brainstorm the Topic 4. Write a Thesis 5. Outline the Essay 6. Write the Essay 7. Add an Conclusion 8. Proofread your Essay

5. Step 1 Identify the Rubric –All 3 essays use a 9 point rubric You must get the 7 basic core points to be eligible for the 2 expanded core points –Underline the rubric core points in your green booklet before you start writing. Common points in all essays are –A good thesis –Evidence that supports the thesis –Analysis of the evidence using context –This will help you keep your essay focused

6. Step 2 Read the Question Carefully –Most important step You must know what they are asking in order to answer the question –Underline the important parts of the question Timeframe, location, society Is it a two part question What PERSIAN characteristics are they asking for? –What exactly are they asking by finding key words Compare, describe, analyze, look at change Write some synonyms for key words, but don’t be afraid to repeat key words throughout your essay again and again.

7. Step 3 Brainstorm the Topic –Write down some ideas you already know –What do you know about this time period Who is rising or falling What interaction is going on What new trends starting, old trends stopping. –What do you know about the location Who is strong, who is weak Any new groups in the area –What do you know about the society How do they rule What do they do for work How do they live –These ideas you will tie back to your thesis and evidence.

8. Step 4 Write a Good Thesis The thesis is your first paragraph that tells the reader what you are going to say. –Try to keep it to one detailed sentence, this keeps it clear. First rephrase the question as a simple statement. –Make sure to include the location and timeframe. Next add the blueprint. Use the rule of 3 for the blueprint. –Decide which 3 characteristics your body paragraphs are going to talk about. –Use key words in the thesis that readers look for; change/continuity, similarity/differences, political, economic, social.

9. Step 5 Outline your Essay –First come up with your 3 body thesis The body thesis is very important. It ties the reader and your evidence back to the main thesis. This allows you to get the most points possible for having appropriate evidence. For the body thesis repeat one of your rule of 3 from your main thesis. Use your key words again (i.e., change/continuity, similar/different, political, cultural, economic). It should be broad enough that you can find enough evidence, yet narrow enough to address the question. Make sure it ties back to the thesis, repeat your key words from your main thesis.

10. Step 5 (continued) Next come up with evidence to complete your body paragraph. –For your body evidence use other words to describe the characteristic that is more specific, and try to get at least 3 details about it. Economic….. Trade, marketplace, agriculture Social……family hierarchy, woman’s roles, class structure Political…… government style, revolutionary process, laws –Try to change the words to make a strong statement about what you are going to prove. Difference or Change –But, however, although, though in contrast, alternatively, transformed Similarity or Continuity –Since, moreover, similarity, as well as, still, likewise, therefore Make sure your body paragraph with an analysis of why your evidence happened, including world historical context. –What caused these things to happen in the society? –How does what is going on in this society relate to what is happening elsewhere around the word during this time period?

11. Step 6 Write the Essay Now write the essay by following your outline –Remember your evidence must tie back to the question and your thesis. –Have at least two examples of evidence for each body thesis. –After your evidence include your analysis which explains why the evidence happened and how it relates to your thesis. It may be part of your evidence sentence or a separate sentence following it. Remember to include some historical context. Use specific wording; –“the reason for this change was.. –“This similarity occurred because of …. –“An analysis of the context in which this difference occurred shows…

12. General Essay Outline Use this 5 paragraph form. 1) Thesis 2) Body 1 Thesis –Evidence and Analysis using context 3) Body 2 Thesis –Evidence and Analysis using context 4) Body 3 Thesis –Evidence and Analysis using context 5) Conclusion

13. Step 7 Conclusion Finish your essay with a concluding paragraph. Like your thesis try to keep it to one sentence. Simply restate your thesis in different words. This is your insurance policy, your backup to insure you get you point for a good thesis. A conclusion is part of the expanded core points.

14. Step 8 Proofread your Essay –When you finish take time to look back over your essay. –Recheck your rubric (step 1) to make sure you hit all your basic core points. Don’t be afraid to add things in the margin if you have to. –Correct any spelling or grammatical errors you find.

15. Final Advice Think before you write –Make notes, jot ideas, create an outline –The more work you do before you write, the neater and more organized your essay will be Write neatly, if you don’t know how to spell a word choose another Watch your time –Spending too much time on any essay could mean running out of time or rushing another. –Remember each essay counts equally, don’t skip or shortchange any of the three essays.

16. D ocument B ased Q uestion Essay Outline 1) Thesis (try to use 1 detailed sentence). –Remember to restate the question as a statement, and then use the rule of 3 for your blueprint. Don’t put document numbers in thesis. Watch for questions that are comparative or change over time. 2) Body 1 Thesis (1st of your 3, after body thesis list doc. for group; i.e. #2, 5, 8) –POV Statement for document # 2 (Use at least two sentences) 1st sentence include the author (doc#), background, and its meaning. 2nd sentence explain why the author has their point of view or POV) –POV Statement for document # 5 (Use at least two sentences) –POV Statement for document # 8 (Use at least two sentences) –Additional document remember to tell the type of document, who it is from, and why it is needed by tying it back to the thesis) 3) Body 2 Thesis (2nd of your 3, after body thesis list doc. for group; i.e. #1, 9) –POV Statement for document # 1 (Use at least two sentences) 1st sentence include the author (doc#), background, and its meaning. 2nd sentence explain why the author has their point of view or POV) –POV Statement for document # 9 (Use at least two sentences) –Additional document remember to tell the type of document, who it is from, and why it is needed by tying it back to the thesis) 4) Body 3 Thesis (3rd of your 3, after body thesis list doc. for group; i.e. #3, 4, 6, 7) –POV Statement for document # 3 (Use at least two sentences) 1st sentence include the author (doc#), background, and its meaning. 2nd sentence explain why the author has their point of view or POV) –POV Statement for document # 4 (Use at least two sentences) –POV Statement for document # 6 (Use at least two sentences) –POV Statement for document # 7 (Use at least two sentences) –Additional document remember to tell the type of document, who it is from, and why it is needed by tying it back to the thesis) 5) Conclusion (restate thesis in one sentence)

17. C hange O ver T ime Essay Outline Thesis (try to use 1 detailed sentence). –Remember to restate the question as a statement, then use the rule of 3 for your blueprint 2 changes and 1 continuity or 1 change and 2 continuities 2) Body 1 Thesis (1st of your 3, either a change or continuity) –Evidence showing a change or continuity. –Commentary to analyze why the changes or continuities occurred using historical context. 3) Body 2 Thesis (2nd of your 3, either a change or continuity) –Evidence showing a change or continuity. –Commentary to analyze why the changes or continuities occurred using historical context. 4) Body 3 Thesis (3rd of your 3, either a change or continuity) –Evidence showing a change or continuity. –Commentary to analyze why the changes or continuities occurred using historical context. 5) Conclusion (restate thesis in one sentence)

18. Comp arative Essay Outline 1) Thesis (try to use 1 detailed sentence). –Remember to restate the question as a statement, then use the rule of 3 for your blueprint 2 similarities and 1 difference or 1 similarity and 2 differences 2) Body 1 Thesis (1st of your 3, either a similarity or difference) –Evidence from societies showing a similarity or difference. –Commentary to analyze why the societies are similarity or different using historical context. 3) Body 2 Thesis (2nd of your 3, either a similarity or difference) –Evidence from societies showing a similarity or difference. –Commentary to analyze why the societies are similarity or different using historical context. 4) Body 3 Thesis (3rd of your 3, either a similarity or difference) –Evidence from societies showing a similarity or difference. –Commentary to analyze why the societies are similarity or different using historical context. 5) Conclusion (restate thesis in one sentence)