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| AP EXAM FORMAT - The Long Essay | |
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HISTORY REASONING SKILLS EXPLAINED Continuity and Change Examples RETURN TO AP WORLD REVIEW SHEET
The Long
Essay is what you might consider a standard essay. You will be given
a question, and might have to consider how history changed, or
remained the same over time. Or, perhaps it’s an essay targeting the
skill of comparison, or causation. Nonetheless, this essay will need
a thesis and historical evidence to support that thesis. Your goal
is to persuade the reader that your thesis is sound and
well-supported by historical facts. Introduction and conclusion
paragraphs are required. You will be graded out of 6 points.
You will write one of three choices (Periods 1-2, 3-4, or 5-6). Each
choice will address both the same theme and reasoning skill.
Your Score on the LONG ESSAY breaks down as follows:
Point 1 -
Thesis Similar to the
DBQ, you must have an original thesis that reflects all parts of the
task and the skill being targeted. If you just copy the statement
they give you then ... SORRY! NOTE: They may
ask you to “Support, Modify, or Refute” a question. If this happens,
on say, a “turning point” question:
Support Thesis:
The Russian Revolution was a turning point because...
Modify Thesis:
Although the Russian Revolution was a turning point because..., it
also cannot be considered one, as...
Refute
Thesis: The Russian Revolution was not a turning point because... NOTE: You can
do any of three. If you choose to “Modify,” this might give you an
opportunity to write more and show you can understand both sides of
the argument!
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Point 2 - Contextualization
Similar to what was seen with the DBQ,
you must show contextualization.
Points 3-4 -
Evidence
You must argue your thesis. The degree to which you
argue the thesis with specific and relevant evidence will
determine if you get 0, 1, or 2 points. The more analysis,
explanation, and linkage between evidence and thesis, the more
likely you are to succeed. Therefore, it is recommended that
you write a lot! Show all you know! This is where studying comes in.
For the long essay, you should be examining major concepts and time
periods more so than the miniscule facts. Although you shouldn’t get
an essay devoted only to Shah Jahan, you might get one that is
relevant to Gunpowder Empires and state building.
Points 5-6 –
Analysis and Reasoning
You
need to dig deep to get both points.
Your options are similar to
the Complex Understanding examples for the
DBQ mentioned above.
However, when it comes to multiple pieces of evidence, you must have
4 when supporting a nuanced or complex argument.
If you use evidence
effectively to demonstrate a sophisticated understanding, you can
achieve this point. Be sure to
read the concrete examples of continuity and change over time,
comparison, and causation. They are critical for understanding
connections throughout history. HISTORY REASONING SKILLS EXPLAINED Continuity and Change Examples RETURN TO AP WORLD REVIEW SHEET |
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