1 / 20

The Essay Question

The Essay Question. The Basics of Writing a Successful AP Essay. Types of Essay Questions. Document Based Question (DBQ) Based on eight to ten primary sources plus outside knowledge Free – Response Question (FRQ) Four questions = Two pre-1870 (select one) = Two Post 1870 (select one).

vito
Download Presentation

The Essay Question

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Essay Question The Basics of Writing a Successful AP Essay

  2. Types of Essay Questions • Document Based Question (DBQ) • Based on eight to ten primary sources plus outside knowledge • Free – Response Question (FRQ) • Four questions = Two pre-1870 (select one) = Two Post 1870 (select one)

  3. What Are the AP Essay Graders Looking For? • Answer the question • Begin with a strong thesis • Follow a reasonable outline • The less confusing the better for the reader • Be straightforward • Readers are experts in history (don’t try to fool them)

  4. What Are the AP Essay Graders Looking For? • Focus on the question • Make sure you answer the question being asked • More that just facts – although important • Reveal an understanding of the general principles – good analysis • Big picture of American History

  5. What Are the AP Essay Graders Looking For? • Weave and understanding of content with analysis (IRAC) • Originality of thought • Turn the page

  6. What Are the AP Essay Graders Looking For? Summed Up • Express good ideas • Present valid evidence to support those ideas • Strong developed thesis • Quality of historical argument • Each essay is only read for about two minutes

  7. Things That Make Any Essay Better Two Components • Plan what your are going to write • Use effective writing techniques = Better organized = Better thought out = Better written

  8. Before You Start Writing • Read the question carefully • Brainstorm for a couple of minutes • Write facts, concepts and/or ideas that come to mind • Decide on your thesis (point of argument) • Organize information to fit thesis

  9. Before You Start Writing • Aim for five paragraphs (although not an absolute) • Paragraph 1: Introduction (HOTT) • Thesis • Summary of three basic argument • Paragraphs 2 – 4: Body (TEST or IRAC) • Three arguments that support the thesis • Historical evidence • Paragraph 5: Conclusion (STOP) • Conclusion and wrap up • Restate thesis

  10. Types of Arguments • Three Good Points • The Chronological Argument • Similarities and Differences • The “Straw Dog” Argument

  11. Arguments Continued Organize essay • First paragraph – addresses the question and states how you are going to answer it (Thesis) • Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 – organized around a single argument by evidencethesis • Paragraph 5 – Ties the essay into a neat package. Answer the question here!!!

  12. Writing Guidelines • Keep sentences an simple as possible • Throw in a few big words but don’t over do it • Write clearly and neatly • Define your terms • Use transitions words to show where you are going

  13. Writing Guidelines Continued • Use structural indicators to organize your paragraphs • Stick to you outline • Try to prove one big picture idea per paragraph • Evidence, evidence, evidence • Turn the page • Make sure the first and last paragraphs directly answer the question

  14. Summary • Answer the entire question • Brainstorm, choose a thesis, develop an outline • Follow your outline • One important idea per paragraph • Evidence, Evidence, Evidence • Write clearly, neatly and to the point

  15. Three Good Points • Simplest strategy • From brainstorming select three best points • Each point the subject of a paragraph • Save strongest point for last • Topic sentence – then support (TEST or IRAC) • Opening paragraph – what you intend to argue • Final paragraph – what you have proven

  16. The Chronological Argument • Certain questions lend themselves to this • Transitions between paragraphs essential • Paragraph two leads to paragraph three which leads to paragraph four • Opening paragraph sets the path • Closing paragraph restate essay question and answer it

  17. Similarities and Differences I • Comparison questions • Start by setting a historical scene • Each paragraph building an issue • Last paragraph comparing and contrasting issues

  18. Similarities and Differences II • Question my provide options • Comparing political philosophies of two presidents • Thesis states the essential differences between their philosophies • One paragraph to each philosophy • Fourth paragraph – major differences and similarities • Final paragraph – draw conclusions

  19. Similarities and Differences III • Start with a thesis • Discuss three pertinent issues • Each president’s view • Final paragraph – overview of your argument

  20. The “Straw Dog’ Argument • Choose arguments opposite of yours • State their arguments, then tear them down • You do not have to prove you are correct • Paragraph 2 - Summarize your opponent’s arguments in • Paragraph 3 - Collapse them in • Paragraph 4 – your argument • Showing both sides demonstrates you understand history is complex

More Related