1. AP US - Writing Considerations

2. The Basics Use Black ink Write clearly and legibly! Indent paragraphs
Do NOT quote the documents (or anything for that matter) directly from the exam
Readers rarely, if EVER, read quotes. They know the documents too well. They have the DBQ in front of them at all times. Essays with quotes struggle the most to get points on the documents.
Do NOT write “Document 1 says...” or “According to document 1...”

3. The Basics
Use all 7 of the documents regardless of what the rubric requires. You may not get credit for one of your documents, so you will be better served using all 7 and at least 2-3 pieces of outside information for every document.  
Do NOT underline or label “context”, “synthesis”, “the purpose of the document…” etc.
NO 1st (I, we) person or 2nd person (you) construction
Grammar basics - for example: “America and its” NOT “America and their”

4. The Process - Prewriting
Analyze the prompt and determine exactly what you are being asked to do
[Focus on key verbs - analyze, assess, explain, compare…]
Create your Database = outside information that you already know about the topic
Read the Documents and create your Document KEY
Note the source (speech, newspaper article, book...author, audience, time/date, etc.)

5. The Process - Prewriting
The TWO keys to document analysis:
1. Establish the essential document INFORMATION
2. Determine the essential document INFERENCE(S)
Write your THESIS [See the notes and examples later in this document]
Group documents according to your thesis
Determine your essay structure

6. Further Considerations
Contextualization
It needs to be at least 3 sentences and should connect to events approximately years before the time period referenced in the prompt.
This is where you are explaining what happened before the essay takes place.
Your contextualization cannot be connected to the prompt as an extension of the thought.
Although that is quality writing, it is specifically stated in the rubric that points will not be awarded if contextualization is simply an extension of your thesis.

7. Further Considerations
Synthesis
It needs to be at least 3 sentences minimum!
In actuality, it is the least awarded of the points and rarely done well according to the readers.
It is NOT enough to write that THIS is like THAT. Your commentary MUST explain how they are alike.
If you are unsure about how to provide a connection to another time period, focus on ALL of the other possible points.
Do NOT focus too hard on the synthesis point at the expense of others.

8. and respond to ALL portions of the prompt!
Introduction
CONTEXTUALIZATION
Thesis/Argumentation +1
Provide immediate
historical context to
frame your response
Use at least 3 sentences! +2 +1
Body Paragraphs
Transition/Argument
Evidence [*7 Documents / outside information]
Analysis and HIPP [for at least 4 documents]
Repeat as necessary
Summative statement/concluding sentence
TAKE A CLEAR POSITION
and respond to ALL portions of the prompt!
Ask yourself…would anyone else disagree with my argument/thesis?
If YES – proceed with your essay
If NOT – you have most likely stated FACT +1 +1
Repeat for each
body paragraph
*Use ALL 7 docs
and provide
analysis and HIPP
to earn 2 points.
Provide immediate or long-term historical synthesis
to close your essay.
Use at least 3 sentences!
Conclusion
Reiterate thesis AND
provide SYNTHESIS +1