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Guidelines to Writing the Essential Questions

Guidelines to Writing the Essential Questions. A. P. United States History Pierce County High School. Why so much writing?. Always keep in mind that this is an advanced placement /college level course.

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Guidelines to Writing the Essential Questions

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  1. Guidelines to Writing the Essential Questions A. P. United States History Pierce County High School

  2. Why so much writing? • Always keep in mind that this is an advanced placement /college level course. • You will be expected to do higher quality work because you are capable, can do the work, and should. • To get you prepared for college. You will be doing an extensive amount of writing in college. • You will have to demonstrate to your college professors that you have the ability to write what you know in a clear and concise manner. • You have to demonstrate to me that you know the material and can write what you know in a clear and concise manner. • Writing will enable you to learn….and store what you have learned in your “long term memory.” • And, the AP exam contains 3 essays… you will need much writing practice…more on these later.

  3. Why Essential Questions? • Why do we have to do essential questions? • The essential questions are designed to target the “essential” concepts in the chapter. • AP themes and concepts • GHSGT/EOCT • Chapter test material • They are designed to guide your reading and prepare you for the lesson in class. • You should be answering the questions as you read the nightly assignments. • Will enable you to participate in class.

  4. #1 - What is Expected? • What is expected of me when answering the essential questions? • No short cuts. • I will expect detailed answers based on the information in the textbook. • Your textbook is your primary source for information. I will grade your answers based on the information in the text. • Rubric • The length of your answer will vary according to the question and the amount of information given in your textbook. • Read the question carefully and answer all parts of the question. • In AP there are no shortcuts!

  5. Other sources? • Yes, you can include information from other sources. • However, for the essential questions, your grade is based on the information in the textbook. It is the textbook material that you must learn for quizzes, tests and the AP exam, so make sure you have included that information first. • If you do include information other than what is included in your textbook, you must cite your source!

  6. #2 – Complete Sentences • EQs must always be written in complete sentences! • I will expect and accept nothing less from an AP student. • Handwritten in blue or black ink – no pencil. • May be typed - double space. • We’ll discuss cut & paste later…..

  7. #3 - Include a Topic Sentence. • Do not assume the reader knows what it is that you are writing about. • Don’t just jump into the answer. • You must establish the topic. If nothing else, refer to the question. • Your answer should be written in such a way that anyone reading your work will know what the question is that you are answering.

  8. #4 – Stick to the Facts! • Include only the facts! • But, clearly explain the information. • The 1st time you reference a person, place or event, introduce them/it completely. • In the first reference to a person, organization, or event, give the complete name (not only initials). Then, unless a long space has elapsed in your writing, you may refer to a person by last name (do not refer to someone by using their first name…it presumes a familiarity that you do not have). In the case of an organization, after the first reference you may use an acronym (e.g., CIA for Central Intelligence Agency) if you have made the meaning of the acronym clear. • Don’t leave me wondering….What? Who? When? Where? • Remember, the point is to convince me that you know what it is you are writing about.

  9. #5 – Things to Remember • Write in past tense. • Remember you are writing about past events. • Do not use “flowery” language…it has no place in historical, factual writing. • Do not use “slang” or popular terms. • Don’t use popular contractions • Ex: ppl - people • Keep focused! • Never use more words when you can make the point with fewer.

  10. #5 - Continued • Do not fall into the pattern of beginning your sentences with a continuous succession of pronouns and vague terms. • Ex: It, They, Him…etc. • Again, no short cuts! • Don’t use a bulleted list in your answer unless you are given permission. • 1st attempt at colonial unity • defense was the purpose • 13 colonies • Don’t use single digit numbers for words • Ex: 2 – two; 5 – five • One sentence does not a paragraph make!!!!! • And, as an AP student…one sentence does not a definition make!

  11. #6 – Closing Sentence • Bring your answer to a close with a summarizing statement. • Don’t just stop writing! • Refer back to your question or topic sentence. • But NEVER, use the terms “in conclusion” or “…and this is why we are where we are today.” • Proofread!!!!! Proofread!!!! Proofread!!! • Spelling errors on common terms will cause deductions in your grade. • Refer to your rubric as a guide. • Do not wait until the night before to begin this assignment….I will know and your grade will reflect.

  12. #7 - Plagiarism • It is a serious offense… • If I detect that you have simply cut and pasted from the internet and attempted to pass this work off as your own, I will use any means necessary to find the source. • And while I am taking my valuable time to do this, I will become more angry by the minute. • You will have typing privileges taken away and you may receive a zero for the assignment. • What’s worse is that I will have serious doubts about your integrity as a student. • I may not catch all of the instances, but I eventually will catch most. Just don’t do it. • http://www.uga.edu/honesty/ahpd/prohibited_conduct.html • http://www.honor.gatech.edu/plugins/content/index.php?id=9

  13. Now, the good news…. • These guidelines and concepts will carry over to the essay writing component of the AP United States History course in preparation for the AP exam. • I promise to you that everything that I ask you to do is part of a plan and that all the pieces will come together with the focus on having you prepared for the AP exam in May. I will never ask you to do anything that does not have this end goal in mind. If you do your part…and it will take dedication and hard work - you can be assured that I will do my part…and you will be ready for the AP Exam in May…. • I just want to know……

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