Advanced Placement United States History

1. Advanced PlacementUnited States History 155 Days until the Exam: Wednesday, May 14, 2014

2. Anatomy of the AP US Exam • DBQ (Part A) • Mandatory 15 minute reading period – Analyze the documents and plan your answer • 45 minutes to write essay • Multiple Choice: • 55 minutes • 80 questions 3 hours 5 minutes 2 Sections • Standard Essays(Part B & C) • Part B will have 2 essay choices – choose 1 • 5 minutes planning • 30 minutes to write • Repeat for Part C • Free Response: • 130 minutes • 3 Questions

3. AP US Test Results Last year 65% of students at MacArthur taking the AP US Exam, passed it

4. Multiple Choice • Multiple-choice section may include a few questions from the period since 1980 • Neither the DBQ nor the four essay questions in Parts B and C will deal exclusively with this period

5. Material Covered • Political institutions, behavior, and public policy • Social change, and cultural and intellectual developments • Diplomacy and international relations • Economic developments • Approximate Percentage of Test • 35% • 40% • 15% • 10% The multiple-choice and free-response sections cover:

6. Both the DBQ and FRQ are judged on: • The strength of your thesis • The quality of the historical argument • Evidence offered to support the argument

7. A “Dazzling” D.B.Q.Is Like a Tasty Hamburger

8. The Intro Paragraph The “Top Bun” of your essay! 6-8 sentences

9. The Intro Paragraph • Establish TIME & PLACE. • Create a clear, THESIS STATEMENT. • Allude to the 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! No “laundry list!”

10. The “”Meat”” Paragraphs The “tasty” part of your essay! 8-12+ sentences per paragraph

11. The “”Meat”” Paragraphs • Identify your sub-topic or category in the first sentence. • Include the documents that are relevant to support the ideas in the paragraph. • Use most of the documents given. • Bring in supportive outside information. This is critical!! * OI = “outside information” • Why were these documents selected?

12. Questions to Ask Yourself About the Documents • Attribution  Who is this person? • Why might they be significant? • What is the point of view (POV) of the author? • How reliable and accurate is the source? • What is the tone or intent of the document author? • What other information does this document call to mind? Use all available clues. Remember, docs can be used in a variety of ways!

13. How to Reference a Document in Your Essay • Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet, Common Sense, said, “………….” • Joe Smith, a mid-Western delegate to the Republican convention in 1912, agreed with….. • The 19c historian, Frederick Jackson Turner, felt that …………………. (Doc. E) NEVER begin with: “In Document 3, …”

14. The Concluding Paragraph The “Bottom Bun”of your essay! It holds it all together! 3-4 sentences

15. The Concluding Paragraph • Start with a “concluding phrase.” • 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 BUT…Do NOT end on the note that this is the reason we are where we are today! Too Much Cheese!

16. Ummmmm, Burger! I Mean, Perfect Essay!

17. Writing the DBQ Essay • Reading Period – 15 Minutes; Write Time – 45 Minutes • Read the question and list all relevant outside information. List key terms associated with the topic. Look and begin to explore. • PROMPT – THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A 4 AND 5 – Know what the question is asking. • Write a brief outline. • THESIS STATEMENT – less is better. Be short and to the point. • With the second paragraph you set the scene. Create credibility. • Identify the information from the documents with parenthetical citation (Doc. A) – DO NOT QUOTE THE DOCUMENT – tell what the document means, be specific. Emphasis on ability to analyze and asses documents. • Evidence – 3 or more – 3 examples and 3 pieces of evidence, refer to the list. Make your ideas convincing by supporting them with specific details. • “Idiot Paragraph” – Concession Statement, think past your own argument • Conclusion • Total of 7 paragraphs

18. FRQ • 5 Minutes Planning; 30 Minute Writing Time • Each part deals with 2 different time periods, you choose ONE • Only requires 4-5 paragraphs

19. Writing Identifications • Identify context • You should always identify time • Time sequencing matters • You may be able to place an event in a decade, a period, or during a particular presidents’ term • Usually you can identify context in just a few words • Inform your reader of several of the most important facts about your item • If it is an event, identify what happened and how it came out • If it is a person, what are the most important things this person should be remembered for • Make connections • What does it illustrate? • What was the result? • Why is it important? • What does it have to do with events that surround it?

20. Tips for Successin AP US • Keep up with reading • Do the XC Outlines – they serve as a study guide and help reinforce material • Memorize basic material: • Presidents (in clumps) • Wars and Treaties • 10-15 Supreme Court Cases • Learn from your mistakes – otherwise we won’t get very far!