AP World History: Writing Workshop

1. AP World History: Writing Workshop

2. AP stands for “advanced placement” It is a college level course that you will be taking in the spring You will take an exam in May which is scored from 1-5 (5 being the highest possible score) If you make anywhere from a 3-5 you will get college credit for AP World History What is AP World History?

4. Potential to earn college credit from a high school class (could save you time and money later!) Looks great on college applications Challenge yourself to a rigorous curriculum Why Take AP?

5. AP World History is A LOT of work • Homework (reading) • class work • analyzing primary source documents • keeping note cards • lots of essay writing • You DO NOT get college credit if you fail the AP exam with a score lower than a three!! Things to Consider

6. The AP Exam is multiple choice with three essay questions 70 multiple choice questions – 55 minutes Document-based essay question – 50 minutes (10 minute reading period) Change-over-time essay – 40 minutes Comparative essay – 40 minutes It is given on Thursday – May 16th at 8:00 am The AP Exam

7. An exercise in crafting historical arguments from historical evidence and synthesis Students are given a variety of primary source documents (journals, maps, newspaper articles, charts, graphs, etc) and students must write an essay analyzing and connecting the documents they are given. Designed to test skills that historians use every day There is no single right answer – rather there are various answers and approaches that are possible depending on your ability to understand the documents and communicate their significance, and construct an argument Document-Based Essay Question

8. Using the following documents, analyze similarities and differences in the mechanization of the cotton industry in Japan and India in the period from the 1880s to the 1930s. Identify an additional type of document and explain how it would help your analysis of the mechanization of the cotton industry. Document Based Question sample

9. Acceptable thesis Addresses all of the documents and demonstrates understanding all of the documents Analyzes point of view in at least two documents Supports thesis with evidence from all documents Identifies and explains the need for one type of appropriate additional document or source Rubric

10. What has changed and what has continued? • Can address: • Technology • Trade • Culture • Migrations • Environment Continuity and Change over Time Essay

11. Analyze continuities and changes in cultural beliefs and practices in ONE of the following regions from 1450 to the present. Sub-Saharan Africa Latin America/Caribbean Example continuity over time essay question

12. Acceptable thesis Addresses all parts of the question Substantiates thesis with appropriate historical evidence Uses relevant world historical context effectively to explain continuity and change over time Analyzes the process of continuity and change over time (patterns & causation) Rubric

13. Focuses on developments across at least two regions or societies • Comparative questions always require an analysis of the reasons for the identified similarities and differences • Relates to one of the five major themes in the course: • State building • Interactions • Economic systems • Etc Comparative Essay

14. Analyze the similarities and differences in techniques of imperial administration in TWO of the following empires: • Han China (206 B.C.E – 220 C.E.) • Mauryan/Gupta India (320 B.C.E. – 550 C.E.) • Imperial Rome (31 B.C.E. – 476 C.E.) Example comparative essay topic

15. Acceptable thesis Addresses all parts of the question Substantiates thesis with appropriate historical evidence Makes at least one relevant, direct comparison between among/societies Analyzes at least one reason for a similarity or difference in a direct comparison (must consistently analyze for full points) Rubric

16. A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to prove. A good thesis statement makes the difference between a thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts. A good tentative thesis will help you focus your search for information. The thesis statement is typically located at the end of your opening paragraph. (The opening paragraph serves to set the context for the thesis.) For our purposes, it can be more than one sentence. Remember, your reader will be looking for your thesis. Make it clear, strong, and easy to find. What is a Thesis?

17. It should be contestable, proposing an arguable point with which people could reasonably disagree. A strong thesis is provocative; it takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present. It is specific and focused. It clearly asserts your OWN conclusion based on EVIDENCE It provides the reader with a map to guide him/her through your work. It anticipates and refutes the counter-arguments It avoids vague language (like "it seems"). It avoids the first person. ("I believe," "In my opinion") What’s a good thesis look like?

18. Try these five tests: Does the thesis  inspire a reasonable reader to ask, "How?" or Why?" Would a reasonable reader NOT respond with "Duh!" or "So what?" or "Gee, no kidding!" or "Who cares?" Does the thesis  avoid general phrasing and/or sweeping words such as "all" or "none" or "every"? Does the thesis lead the reader toward the topic sentences (the subtopics needed to prove the thesis)? Can the thesis be adequately developed in the required length of the paper or project? How do you know if you've got a solid tentative thesis?