1. Document Based Questions
AP U.S. History Exam
Document Based Questions
Based on Writing in AP U.S. History by John P. Irish, 2016 •

2. Scoring Scale and Guide
15 minutes for reading, and 40 minutes to write
Thesis
Makes a historically defensible claim and responds to all parts of the question
0-1 point
Context
Situates the argument by explaining the broader events, developments, or processes relevant to the question
Argument
Offer a cohesive argument showing complexity in the evidence (e.g., contradiction, corroboration, qualification)
Document Analysis
Uses at least six documents, and explains the author’s POV, purpose, context, and/or audience for at least four
0-2 points
Outside Info
Provide an example or additional piece of specific evidence beyond that found in the documents
0-1 points
Synthesis
Makes a connection to a different period, situation, era or geographical area, theme or approach

3. The Introduction The requirements
Presents a thesis that makes a historically defensible claim.
Responds to all parts of the question.
Must consist of one or more sentences in the introduction.
Discusses the historical complexity of the topic (i.e., the secret formula!).

4. The Introduction The secret formula: X; however, A and B. Therefore Y.
These are not necessarily standalone sentences. They are concepts.
X represents the strongest point against your argument. This can be a counter-argument or a qualification.
A and B represent the two strongest points for your argument. These are your organization categories.
Y represents the position you will be taking on the prompt. This is your historically defensible claim.

5. The Introduction Outlining the question
Organize an answer as if it was an LEQ.
Insert applicable evidence from your personal knowledge.
Use APPARTS on each document to choose applicable evidence for the thesis as you do this.
Revise the scratch outline as necessary as you insert evidence from the documents.

6. The Introduction Contextualization
In the broad context, the American Revolution was a small part of an overarching goal of Britain to maintain control over its colonies. This power struggle would determine the fate of the British (and other European nations) as a world power. Taxes and raw materials from the colonies were necessary requirements to maintain Britain’s position in the world. Therefore, the Revolution was not simply a minor rebellion within a tiny colony, but a major shakeup which ultimately led to the downfall of the greatest nation in the world and would give birth to the next great world power. (contextualization)
The Introduction
Contextualization
The American
Revolution
Draw a conclusion
Situate the topic
Britain as a
world power
Social Contract
Theory
Situate the topic within the historical events, developments, or processes of the broader regional, national, or global context in which they occurred in order to draw conclusions about its relative significance.
1st: Situate the topic of the essay within the broad historical context of the time, then
2nd: draw a conclusion about the topic.
Why was this topic so significant?
What led up to it?
What is the connection to the larger issues going on during it?
Impact of the
French-Indian War
Writings of
John Locke
Natural Rights
Enlightenment
Colonists pushing for
more local rule

7. The Introduction Outline
Summarize the question topic, and provide the contextualization. (about 3 sentences)
If necessary, define key terms. (1-2 sentences)
Use the secret formula. (about two sentences)
Make sure this includes all parts of the question.
Make sure the main points are specific and clear.

8. Analysis In and out of the documents
Use the content of at least SIX of the documents to support the thesis.
Provide additional evidence from BEYOND the documents.
This must be different from the evidence used to earn other points.
For at least FOUR documents, explain one aspect of HIPP:
Historical context
Intended audience
Purpose
Point of view

9. Analysis In each body paragraph…
Introduce the main point in an introductory sentence.
Use at least two examples from two different documents.
Explain the HIPP of each document.
Use in-text notations to identify the document— (Doc B).
Use at least one example from outside the documents.
CITE and EXPLAIN each example.
End with a sub-conclusion that connects directly to the thesis:
“Given these factors, the (main point) is valid because (sub- conclusion).”

10. The Conclusion Use the following structure:
Summarize the sub-conclusions.
Give an overall conclusion (the clincher) that goes something like this:
“Given these points, the (thesis) is valid because (overall conclusion).”
Follow this with a synthesis segment.

11. Synthesis (Other Context)
In the concluding paragraph…
Make a connection between the topic and another topic from outside the period or context of the question.
Use SKDT—“Similar in Kind but Different in Time”
What other something makes sense to compare the topic of the essay to?
Use this format to begin the synthesis segment:
“The (topic of essay) can be compared to the (earlier / later) period of (synthesis topic) in two ways….”
Establish two solid connections between the topic and what you are comparing it to—not a vague generalization.

12. You’ve got to read the textbook and take notes!
Understanding Contextualization & Synthesis
Contextualization =
Broad Context
How do you know what things to take from the blue zones?
How do you know where things fall on the timeline? You’ve got to read the textbook and take notes!
Synthesis = Other Context (SKDT)
20 yrs
Topic
20 yrs
This
or This
You’ve got to read the textbook and take notes!

13. Summary The outline of the essay: Introduction
Contextualization segment
Thesis statement based on the formula (XABY)
Body
Paragraph for each main point
Topic sentence to start each paragraph
3-4 supporting examples that are cited and explained
At least two from the documents (at least 6 total)
At least one from outside the documents
Discuss the HIPP of the documents (at least 4 total)
Sub-conclusion
Conclusion
Summary of sub-conclusions
Overall conclusion (clincher)
Synthesis (SKDT)