1. Stuff We Really Really Need to Know for AP Euro.
Historical Skills
Stuff We Really Really Need to Know for AP Euro.

2. Thesis: What is it?
A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to prove.
The thesis statement is typically located at the end of your opening paragraph. (The opening paragraph serves to set the context for the thesis: time and place.)
Remember, your reader will be looking for your thesis. Make it clear, strong, and easy to find.

3. Thesis: What Should We Do?
It should be contestable, proposing an arguable point with which people could reasonably disagree. A strong thesis is provocative; it takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present.
It is specific and focused.
It clearly asserts your own conclusion based on evidence
It provides the reader with a map to guide him/her through your work.
It avoids vague language (like "it seems").
It avoids the first person. ("I believe," "In my opinion")
It answers all parts of the question. A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to prove.
The thesis statement is typically located at the end of your opening paragraph. (The opening paragraph serves to set the context for the thesis: time and place.)
Remember, your reader will be looking for your thesis. Make it clear, strong, and easy to find.

4. Thesis or Not? I would like to become a chef when I finish school.
Although both chefs and cooks can prepare fine meals, chefs differ from cooks in education, professional commitment, and artistry.

5. Thesis or Not? I enjoy white water rafting.
A first water rafting experience can challenge the body and spirit and transform an adolescent into an adult

6. Thesis or Not? Men are chauvinists.
Our American family structure encourages men to repress their true feelings, leaving them open to physical, psychological, and relationship difficulties.

7. Thesis or Not? Many people object to today's violent horror movies.
Despite their high-tech special effects, today's graphically violent horror movies do not convey the creative use of cinematography or the emotional impact that we saw in the classic horror films of the 1940s and 50s.

8. Historical Causation: What is it?
How do events relate to each other?
How do long and short term events impact other events?
Do events always cause other events or do events happen by coincidence?
How do historians argue the causes/effects of events? A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to prove.

9. Historical Causation: What Should We Do?
Compare causes and/or effects, including between direct and indirect effects
Analyze and evaluate the interaction of multiple causes and/or effects
Distinguish between coincidence and causation of events.

10. Historical Causation: Prompts
This causes . . .
As a result . . .
This results in . . .
This leads to . . .
This was because . . .
Because of…this happens
…was a coincidence/ cause/ effect because…

11. Continuity and Change over Time: What is it?
How has history changed over time?
How has history stayed the same?
Is history evolutionary or revolutionary?

12. Continuity and Change over Time: What Should We Do?
Evaluate history stays the same and how it change over time
Connect events to time periods and themes throughout history

13. Continuity and Change over Time: Prompts
One thing that remained the same was…
This all changed when
Although it evolved into…, it still…

14. Comparison: What is it?
How are events/people/place/etc. similar or different?
How does evidence show similarities and differences of perceived knowledge of the events in history?

15. Comparison: What Should We Do?
Compare development/events across time, place, and different societies or within the same society.
Evaluate different views on historical events .

16. Comparison: Prompts Similarly… …can be grouped with….because
In contrasts…
…would agree/disagree with…

17. Contextualization: What is it?
How do historical events all connect?
How do the connections of events show the bigger picture of history?
How do events relate to the bigger picture of history?

18. Contextualization: What Should We Do?
Explain how historical events connect to other events happening at the same time
Explain how historical events connect to other events during different time periods or places

19. Contextualization: Prompts
Meanwhile…
This fits into…
This makes sense because nationality/internationally at the time…
…was a time of…because across the nation/world…