How To Do an APUSH

1. How To Doan APUSH B Q D

2. Step 1: Read the Question P- olitical E- conomic R- eligious S- ocial I- ntellectual A- rtistic • What is the question asking? • Date restraints • specifics • Step 2: Develop A Working Thesis • Step 3: Brainstorm Outside Info.

3. Step 4: Read the Documents • As you read the documents, pay attention to titles, dates, and sources • Analyze carefully!  what is document really saying? • Decide where you may be able to use these documents in your essay to support YOUR argument • Adjust position as necessary • Documents will trigger new outside info! • Create a grid - which documents can you use for each body paragraph (how does OI fit in?)

4. Is There a Right Answer to Each DBQ? • No • Multiple arguments • Develop your argument (thesis) with evidence (include outside information) • Use a strong historical argument

5. The Introductory Paragraph • Background: Establish TIME & PLACE. • Create a clear, THESIS STATEMENT that clearly answers all aspects of the question and takes a strong stand. • Include SUB-TOPICS or categories you will discuss to support your thesis statement • Focus on the question at hand—do NOT begin with a “flowery” sentence

6. The Body Paragraphs • Identify your sub-topic or category in the first sentence. • Topic Sentence should support and develop thesis *and it should introduce your argument, not state a fact. • Include the documents that are relevant to support the ideas in the paragraph. • Use most of the documents given (the more the better but you don’t have to use all) • Bring in supportive outside information. This is critical!! * o.i.’s = “outside information” • Reinforce your argument in last sentence-provide transition

7. How to Reference a Document in Your Essay • Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet, Common Sense, argued………………… (Doc. E). • Joe Smith, a mid-Western delegate to the Republican convention in 1912, agreed with…. (Doc. E). • The 19c historian, Frederick Jackson Turner, felt that …………………. (Doc. E) *NEVER begin with: In Document A, it says blah blahblah …

8. The Concluding Paragraph • Start with a “concluding phrase” (try to avoid “In conclusion”) • Restate your thesis statement a bit differently. • Put your essay answer in a larger historical perspective. End of some trend/movement/idea, etc. Beginning of some trend/movement/idea End of one & beginning of another. Do NOT end on the note that “this is the reason we are where we are today”!

9. The Do’s of DBQ’s • Approach the question as any essay • Let your argument guide your organization • Reference as many documents as possible within your essay that you understand • Include at least one piece of outside information for every document reference you use • Pay attention to dates, titles, and sources of the documents - there is often helpful information there! • Look for the “distracter” document and try to give some attention to opposing viewpoints • Stick to the time frame given for the question

10. The Don’ts of DBQs • DO NOT QUOTE THE DOCUMENTS - everyone reading your essay has also read the documents, so this just wastes time • Don’t laundry list the documents (Doc. A says, Doc. B says, etc.) use the documents as evidence to support your argument. • Don’t reference documents that you do not understand - it is better to ignore them (unless you find yourself doing this with more that half of the documents) • NO FIRST OR SECOND PERSON!