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Lesson #1: The Essay Prompt

AP European History FRE & DBQ. Lesson #1: The Essay Prompt. The Prompt. All AP essays are written in response to an essay “ prompt. ” or “ question. ”. Examples of Prompts. Sample prompt:

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Lesson #1: The Essay Prompt

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  1. AP European HistoryFRE & DBQ Lesson #1: The Essay Prompt

  2. The Prompt • All AP essays are written in response to an essay “prompt.” or “question.”

  3. Examples of Prompts • Sample prompt: • Analyze the factors that contributed to the increasing centralization of Spain and the factors that contributed to the continuing fragmentation of Italy in the period 1450–1550. • Compare and contrast Enlightenment and Romantic views of nature, with reference to specific individuals and their works.

  4. STEP #1READ THE WHOLE QUESTION • The first thing you need to do is to read the WHOLE prompt, every word of it. This is especially true if the prompt is in two sentences like this one…. How successful was organized labor in improving the position of workers in the period from 1875 to 1900? Analyze the factors that contributed to the level of success achieved

  5. STEP #2IDENTIFY WHAT YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO DO • Having read the whole prompt, circle or underline the THING YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO DO. Analyze the factors that contributed to the increasing centralization of Spain and the factors that contributed to the continuing fragmentation of Italy in the period 1450–1550. • What are you being asked to do? ANALYZE.

  6. The following is a list of THINGS YOU MIGHT BE ASKED TO DO as used by the College Board.

  7. Analyze – MOST COMMON • ExplainhowAND whysomething occurred. Any question that uses “how” and/or “why” is an analysis question even if the word “analyze” is not in the prompt. • Compare AND contrast – SECOND MOST COMMON • To do this correctly you need to discuss both similarities AND differences between two events or periods. It is important to do both in as balanced a way as possible without shortcoming either.

  8. Evaluate • Which factor is more important. You usually need to rank several events or factors and specify which is most and which is least significant. • To what extent • This prompt frequently requires you to specify a cause and effect relationship and then state which causes are most important.

  9. Discuss or consider • These are frequently used in FRE prompts and should be written as analysis essays. • Assess the validity • How true or valid is the statement. The statement does not have to be all true (remember the historical grey area!). It can be true in one instance or circumstance and false in another.

  10. STEP #3UNDERLINE CONJUNCTIONS • After finding the verbs, look carefully and mark any CONJUNCTIONS and circle or underline them. For instance Compare and contrast the ways in which the French Revolution and the Russian Revolution changed the status of women. • You must compare AND contrast these revolutions to successfully complete the task.

  11. STEP #4UNDERSTAND THE DATES Understand the TIME SPAN you are being asked to address. If the prompt asks you to discuss during a given time span (for example, the period between 1865 and 1900), then you must include information from the WHOLE time period. Tip: list the facts from the last 10 years of the time period FIRST, then work backwards with the details.

  12. Things to Know • If you see the word variousyou are expected to name at least three views, examples, etc. to support your point. • If your question is not nation specific, you need to mention more than one location

  13. Samples • “Analyze various ways in which the Protestant reformation between 1500-1700 saw the relationship between church and state” • “Analyze various ways in which religious reform in the sixteenth and seventeenth century influenced the arts”

  14. STEP #5BEGIN OUTLINE • After you are clear as to your task ( analyze, evaluate, assess the validity, etc.), sketch out a quick, informal, OUTLINE of how you are going to proceed. This is very important in guaranteeing that you address all parts of the prompt. • Your outline should also include the major facts you are going to address in the essay paragraph by paragraph. • Your outline will serve as a check-off list so you don’t forget anything in your discussion.

  15. STEP #5BEGIN OUTLINE

  16. STEP #5BEGIN OUTLINE Analyze the ways in which the events of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic period (1789–1815) led people to challenge Enlightenment views of society, politics, and human nature.

  17. Graphic Outline

  18. Sample Outline • You will only have 5 minutes to write your thesis and your outline for an FRE. • Understand what the question is asking you to do. • Create a visual outline • Write a compelling thesis statement. • Thesis statement • Topic of Body Paragraph 1 • Topic of Body Paragraph 2 • Topic of Body Paragraph 3 • Conclusion (might also include your thesis statement)

  19. AP European HistoryFRE & DBQ Lesson #2: The Thesis Statement

  20. The Thesis statement is the most important part of your essay. It must be clear and properly structured.

  21. Current AP essay rubrics award high scores to essays that have “clear, well-developed thesis” that is “focused on the prompt” and “guides the essay throughout.”

  22. A Thesis Statement……. defines the scope and purpose of the paper. It needs to meet three criteria: 1. It must be arguable rather than a statement of fact. It should also say something original about the topic. 2. It must be limited enough so that the paper develops in some depth. 3. It must be unified so that the paper does not stray from the topic. 

  23. After • reading the whole prompt • figuring out what you are being asked to do • underlining conjunctions • understanding the time frame • creating an outline • Then you Answer the prompt with a thesis statement.

  24. ??????? Although While Despite

  25. A thesis statement defines the scope and purpose of the paper. It needs to meet three criteria: 1. It must be arguable rather than a statement of fact. It should also say something original about the topic. 2. It must be limited enough so that the paper develops in some depth. 3. It must be unified so that the paper does not stray from the topic. 

  26. It is extremely important to get your thinking clearly into a simple “answer” to the prompt. • Try not to restate the wording of the prompt. • Rather than saying “ the time period of 1620-1700,” say “ the early decades of the 17th century” or “the early decades of colonial settlement…” • Rather than saying “English colonists,” refer to American colonists, British colonists or settlers.

  27. Sample Jot Outline You will only have 5 minutes to write your thesis and your outline for an FRE. You will only 15 minutes to read the documents, write your thesis and your outline for a DBQ so…… Knowing the FACTS and understanding what the question is asking you to do is vital to your success!! • Thesis statement • Topic of Body Paragraph 1 • SFE • Topic of Body Paragraph 2 • SFE • Topic of Body Paragraph 3 • SFE • Concluding sentences

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