AP World History Essays
No doubt by now that you have practiced the AP World History Essays. There are three essays on the Ap Exam; a Comparative essay, a Continuity and Change Over Time essay, and a DBQ. The essays are scored out of a 9 point grading system, 1 being the worst and 9 being the best score you can achieve. As far as I know, unless the rules have changed, you cannot receive your essays back once being written and turned into the AP Essay graders. These essays are all timed. It is important that you are able to manage your time during the exam, especially on these three essays. Below is a breakdown of what each essay is, how to do them, and how to manage your time well with each one.
Comparative
There is a very, simple basic structure for the Comparative . The essay is timed at forty minutes. The structure has the idea of five paragraphs; The first paragraph is the thesis, followed by paragraphs two, three and four comparison factor paragraphs (Ex: Government Economy, Expansion), and lastly followed by the fifth paragraph called the conclusion. The essay is meant to be used with this idea: Similarities & Differences. There must be 3 total, (2 similarities and 1 difference or 1 similarity and 2 differences). Try to do this essay second out of all the essays.
Thesis
The thesis must include dates and locations from the prompt, and similarities and differences about your prompt. This should include 2 similarities and 1 difference or 1 similarity and 2 differences.
Comparative Factors
The next three paragraphs, the comparison factor essays, should include the following as it relates to the particular factor being discussed: In what ways are both societies similar AND different in reference to this factor? Why do these similarities/differences exist (what caused them?) What specific examples/random facts (name people, places, commodities) can you give as evidence? Direct Comparison is a requirement to be used in these paragraphs. Direct Comparison is 1 or 2 consecutive sentences that either compare or contrast and explain why your topic relates to the prompt. Analysis is also used, this is when you state reasons to why at least 2 of your other comparisons exist. It is also a mandatory requirement to provide Evidence, Examples, and Facts throughout your whole essay.
Conclusion
In the conclusion, you must be able to summarize your main similarities and differences. and re-state your thesis in different words.
If you have time, go back and double check for these in your essay:
Are your paragraphs accurate and specific?
Do your factors and analyses connect?
Did you rove your knowledge and your writing abilities and stay on topic?
If you are struggling on time, use try these suggestions:
If you don't remember how to spell a word, sound it out, write it, and move on.
No matter what do not stop writing, even if you are unsure about your answer, it it better than no answer.
Do not spend all your time on the perfect paragraph; if you only have one perfect paragraph and no others, you will NOT score as high as someone with no perfect paragraphs but all of them completed.
Take your time to plan in the beginning, plan out all of your paragraphs with each topic and quick notes about what you will talk about in each.
If you can follow the instructions above, you have no need to worry about the Comparative essay.
Scoring
The following is the scoring guide for a Comparative Essay:
Basic Core (up to 7 points possible)
1. Has acceptable thesis – 1 point
2. Addresses all parts of the question, though not evenly or thoroughly – 2 points; partial credit – 1 point
3. Supports thesis with appropriate historical evidence – 2 points; partial credit – 1 point
4. Uses relevant historical (global) context to explain changes and continuities – 1 point
5. Analyzes the process of continuity and change over time – 1 point
Expanded Core (2 additional points possible if all 7 from the Basic Core have been received)
-Has a clear, analytical and compressive thesis.
-Analyzes all issues of the question (as relevant): global context, chronology, causation, change,
continuity, effects, content.
-Provides ample historical evidence to substantiate thesis.
-Provides links with relevant ideas, events, trends in an innovative way.
Total Possible = 9/9
Thesis
The thesis must include dates and locations from the prompt, and similarities and differences about your prompt. This should include 2 similarities and 1 difference or 1 similarity and 2 differences.
Comparative Factors
The next three paragraphs, the comparison factor essays, should include the following as it relates to the particular factor being discussed: In what ways are both societies similar AND different in reference to this factor? Why do these similarities/differences exist (what caused them?) What specific examples/random facts (name people, places, commodities) can you give as evidence? Direct Comparison is a requirement to be used in these paragraphs. Direct Comparison is 1 or 2 consecutive sentences that either compare or contrast and explain why your topic relates to the prompt. Analysis is also used, this is when you state reasons to why at least 2 of your other comparisons exist. It is also a mandatory requirement to provide Evidence, Examples, and Facts throughout your whole essay.
Conclusion
In the conclusion, you must be able to summarize your main similarities and differences. and re-state your thesis in different words.
If you have time, go back and double check for these in your essay:
Are your paragraphs accurate and specific?
Do your factors and analyses connect?
Did you rove your knowledge and your writing abilities and stay on topic?
If you are struggling on time, use try these suggestions:
If you don't remember how to spell a word, sound it out, write it, and move on.
No matter what do not stop writing, even if you are unsure about your answer, it it better than no answer.
Do not spend all your time on the perfect paragraph; if you only have one perfect paragraph and no others, you will NOT score as high as someone with no perfect paragraphs but all of them completed.
Take your time to plan in the beginning, plan out all of your paragraphs with each topic and quick notes about what you will talk about in each.
If you can follow the instructions above, you have no need to worry about the Comparative essay.
Scoring
The following is the scoring guide for a Comparative Essay:
Basic Core (up to 7 points possible)
1. Has acceptable thesis – 1 point
2. Addresses all parts of the question, though not evenly or thoroughly – 2 points; partial credit – 1 point
3. Supports thesis with appropriate historical evidence – 2 points; partial credit – 1 point
4. Uses relevant historical (global) context to explain changes and continuities – 1 point
5. Analyzes the process of continuity and change over time – 1 point
Expanded Core (2 additional points possible if all 7 from the Basic Core have been received)
-Has a clear, analytical and compressive thesis.
-Analyzes all issues of the question (as relevant): global context, chronology, causation, change,
continuity, effects, content.
-Provides ample historical evidence to substantiate thesis.
-Provides links with relevant ideas, events, trends in an innovative way.
Total Possible = 9/9
DBQ
The DBQ or Document Based Question essay is arguably one of the easiest essays that you can do on the AP World History Exam. When you take the exam, one of the best things to do is knock the DBQ right out of the park as your first essay. With fifty minutes to write, this is the longest of all essays. Not only will this check one essay off the list, but it will leave you feeling more confident to tackle the other two essays.
DBQ's are usually structured with nine to ten documents. These documents range from pictures and accounts to data and maps. Your job when writing the DBQ is to tie all these articles together in one essay. Remember, you must use ALL documents that you are provided. You are allowed ONE mistake of a document analysis, but otherwise all the other articles must be used properly. At first this may not seem easy, but just relax. With this essay you have 10 minutes of dedicated planning time, so plan out your essay thoroughly, preferably with 2 to 3 groups or more. Groups are your paragraphs of similar corresponding articles. Such examples are topics/opinions, areas/regions, chronological, cause and effect, time period, social class, type of author, pro/con, using SPICE categories, and type of source (written, graph, map etc.). There are many more categories, those are only a few. Remember to let the question and document guide you in your groups. Do not try to talk about, for example social class and how one level relates to the topic, when all the documents range from different social classes. If you forget a document, make sure you can cram it into the last paragraph and hope that it counts.
Thesis
The same basic requirements for the thesis apply here as they do in all essays. Remember to provide a road map for the reader to tell where your essay is going. Specify the topic and set the stage by highlighting the time period, location, and context. Create sentences that tell the reader exactly what groupings you will discuss in your body paragraphs to answer all parts of the question (should be a preview of your topic sentences).
Also offer any overarching analysis that could support the topic and groupings And depending on the prompt, analysis may or may not be possible so simply make sure to answer the core of the question.)
Body Paragraphs
Use the standard topic, middle, and conclusion set up, with 3 to 7 sentences for the middle. The topic sentence should outline specifically what you will be talking about in the paragraph (i.e. the grouping you have chosen to use) and be able to tie this back to the thesis statement and be clear. Use the documents and be sure to put the ideas of the documents into your own words and explain how they answer the question. You should be able to analyze a document to support the thesis, identify its POV, and highlight its significance—all without quoting it. The first time you reference a document, should make a parenthetical reference like this example: (doc. 1). It is also mandatory to include an Additional Document. An Additional Document is a hypothetical document would enhance the group it is placed in and how would a historian use could use it in relation to the question. Try to do these as much as possible in case the one you do doesn't count. Another requirement of the DBQ is to include a POV, or Point of View Analysis THREE times in your essay. Try to do more if possible, just in case one of your POV's don't hold up against the AP Essay grader. Explain why the author has his or her perspective/feelings/beliefs, etc. As my teacher and many others have said, Why was THIS person producing THIS piece of information at THIS time or in this manner? To help you determine POV, use one of the following mnemonic methods:
S.O.A.P.S.Tone (Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject, Tone)
A.P.A.R. (Author, Place and time, Audience, Reason)
Remember to use all the documents, use POV at least 3 times, and make sure you use an Additional Document at least once, and the body of the DBQ will not be very challenging.
Conclusion
This is another place you can add additional documents if you forgot or restate your thesis. This is the least important part of the essay. Drop the conclusion if you do not have time. Follow the instructions above for the Comparison Essay conclusion as they are basically the same.
Follow all the instructions above, and you should have no problem nailing the DBQ.
Scoring
The following is the scoring system for a DBQ Essay:
Basic Core (up to 7 points possible)
1. Has an acceptable thesis. – 1 Point
2. Addresses all of the documents and demonstrates understanding of all but one of the documents. – 1 Point
3. Supports thesis with appropriate evidence from all or all but one of the documents. – 2 Points (Supports thesis with evidence from all but two documents = 1)
4. Analyzes point of view in at least three documents. – 1 Point
5. Analyzes the documents by grouping them in at least two ways, depending on the question. – 1 Point
6. Identifies the need for at least two additional, appropriate documents or sources. – 1 Point
Expanded Core (2 additional points possible if all 7 from the Basic Core have been received)
- Has a clear, analytical and comprehensive thesis.
- Shows careful, insightful analysis of the documents.
- Uses documents persuasively as evidence.
- Analyzes point of view in most/all of the documents.
- Analyzes the documents in additional ways – groupings/comparison/synthesis
- Uses relevant, outside information.
- Explains why additional documents/sources are needed.
Total Possible = 9/9
DBQ's are usually structured with nine to ten documents. These documents range from pictures and accounts to data and maps. Your job when writing the DBQ is to tie all these articles together in one essay. Remember, you must use ALL documents that you are provided. You are allowed ONE mistake of a document analysis, but otherwise all the other articles must be used properly. At first this may not seem easy, but just relax. With this essay you have 10 minutes of dedicated planning time, so plan out your essay thoroughly, preferably with 2 to 3 groups or more. Groups are your paragraphs of similar corresponding articles. Such examples are topics/opinions, areas/regions, chronological, cause and effect, time period, social class, type of author, pro/con, using SPICE categories, and type of source (written, graph, map etc.). There are many more categories, those are only a few. Remember to let the question and document guide you in your groups. Do not try to talk about, for example social class and how one level relates to the topic, when all the documents range from different social classes. If you forget a document, make sure you can cram it into the last paragraph and hope that it counts.
Thesis
The same basic requirements for the thesis apply here as they do in all essays. Remember to provide a road map for the reader to tell where your essay is going. Specify the topic and set the stage by highlighting the time period, location, and context. Create sentences that tell the reader exactly what groupings you will discuss in your body paragraphs to answer all parts of the question (should be a preview of your topic sentences).
Also offer any overarching analysis that could support the topic and groupings And depending on the prompt, analysis may or may not be possible so simply make sure to answer the core of the question.)
Body Paragraphs
Use the standard topic, middle, and conclusion set up, with 3 to 7 sentences for the middle. The topic sentence should outline specifically what you will be talking about in the paragraph (i.e. the grouping you have chosen to use) and be able to tie this back to the thesis statement and be clear. Use the documents and be sure to put the ideas of the documents into your own words and explain how they answer the question. You should be able to analyze a document to support the thesis, identify its POV, and highlight its significance—all without quoting it. The first time you reference a document, should make a parenthetical reference like this example: (doc. 1). It is also mandatory to include an Additional Document. An Additional Document is a hypothetical document would enhance the group it is placed in and how would a historian use could use it in relation to the question. Try to do these as much as possible in case the one you do doesn't count. Another requirement of the DBQ is to include a POV, or Point of View Analysis THREE times in your essay. Try to do more if possible, just in case one of your POV's don't hold up against the AP Essay grader. Explain why the author has his or her perspective/feelings/beliefs, etc. As my teacher and many others have said, Why was THIS person producing THIS piece of information at THIS time or in this manner? To help you determine POV, use one of the following mnemonic methods:
S.O.A.P.S.Tone (Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject, Tone)
A.P.A.R. (Author, Place and time, Audience, Reason)
Remember to use all the documents, use POV at least 3 times, and make sure you use an Additional Document at least once, and the body of the DBQ will not be very challenging.
Conclusion
This is another place you can add additional documents if you forgot or restate your thesis. This is the least important part of the essay. Drop the conclusion if you do not have time. Follow the instructions above for the Comparison Essay conclusion as they are basically the same.
Follow all the instructions above, and you should have no problem nailing the DBQ.
Scoring
The following is the scoring system for a DBQ Essay:
Basic Core (up to 7 points possible)
1. Has an acceptable thesis. – 1 Point
2. Addresses all of the documents and demonstrates understanding of all but one of the documents. – 1 Point
3. Supports thesis with appropriate evidence from all or all but one of the documents. – 2 Points (Supports thesis with evidence from all but two documents = 1)
4. Analyzes point of view in at least three documents. – 1 Point
5. Analyzes the documents by grouping them in at least two ways, depending on the question. – 1 Point
6. Identifies the need for at least two additional, appropriate documents or sources. – 1 Point
Expanded Core (2 additional points possible if all 7 from the Basic Core have been received)
- Has a clear, analytical and comprehensive thesis.
- Shows careful, insightful analysis of the documents.
- Uses documents persuasively as evidence.
- Analyzes point of view in most/all of the documents.
- Analyzes the documents in additional ways – groupings/comparison/synthesis
- Uses relevant, outside information.
- Explains why additional documents/sources are needed.
Total Possible = 9/9
Change and Continuity Over Time
I'm going to be honest with you, the Change and Continuity Over Time essay or the CCOT is probably the hardest essay you will be writing for the AP Exam. This essay requires the most background knowledge to have before you start the essay. With 5 minutes of planing time and only 35 minutes to write totaling 40 minutes together, this is the essay that most people struggle with. But if you follow the information that is listed blow, I can try my best to help you over come in my opinion the hardest essay you will write. The preparation is key to this essay. While you are given 5 minutes of dedicated planning time, feel free to plan for 10 minutes because you need to have a strong set up for this essay. There are three standard setups for a CCOT essay: a lot of changes and a couple continuity, the easiest setup in my opinion, or a couple changes and a lot of continuities, or an equal balance of continuities and changes, preferably three or more each. Try as much as you can to do as many of each as you want. Do NOT get this essay confused with the comparison essay, even though similarities and diffrences are used in each one. When you first read the question of the CCOT, a couple thoughts should be running through your mind. What is the time frame and do you remember any benchmark dates
or events? Can I make a list of changes and a separate list of continuities? Which of these items will help you best answer the
question? Instead of sticking to the traditional 2/1 ratio I have
done in other essays (such as 2 similarities and 1 difference in a comparison essay) I should not want to limit yourself in this essay, and I may have many changes and
continuities to highlight. I MUST be able to discuss BOTH changes and continuities for this question. And what else is happening in the world that is relevant to the question? (Global
Context, which in other words: what other outside forces are influencing your
changes and continuities?)
Thesis
The thesis in this essay should be written very quickly, as you know the setup by now and you want as much time to write those important body paragraphs. Be sure to set the stage with a sentence about the topic and restate the prompts time frame exactly and include specific major changes you’ll discuss within the time frame that answers prompt which also including specific major continuities you’ll discuss within the time frame that answers prompt or question.
Body Paragraphs
The following section is broken into the two types of body paragraphs, the change and the continuity paragraphs.
Change Paragraphs:
Start with a specific analytical topic sentence for one of the changes you mentioned in the thesis. If it is a change, briefly describe what was happening just prior to the change (think: changing from what?) Make sure to discuss clearly and with specifics the change taking place (when and where) and use words that signal change: changed, developed, emerged, took on, revolutionized, transformed, gradually, etc. Be sure to identify how the change manifest itself (subtle, rapid, a revolution?); and offer specific evidence. Be able to analyze why the change occurred, and also analyze the EFFECTS of this change on the topic. Lastly include the Global Context: can you connect this change to something happening elsewhere in the world, at that time period or in the future? Do this as much as possible to try to get the Global Context point in the Scoring guide.
Continuity Paragraphs:
Start with a specific analytical topic sentence for one of the continuities you mentioned in the thesis. Explain how, in the middle of any changes you mentioned already in the essay, your continuity remains throughout the time period. Be able to explain your continuity with specifics, and use words that signal continuity: continued, lingered, remained, preserved, remained, upheld, consistently, etc. Analyze why things are staying the same throughout the time periods. Be sure to use Global Context: does the continuity have a connection to something happening elsewhere in the world, at that time period or in the future? Do this as much as possible to try to get the Global Context point in the Scoring guide.
Conclusion
This is the like all the other conclusions, where you should be able to restate your thesis with different wording. The last sentence in your conclusion should explain where things will go historically in the era after your topi. Again, if you are short on time, cut the conclusion and instead try to finish your body paragraphs.
If you follow the instructions above, the CCOT should be a little easier now to write.
Scoring
The following is the scoring system for the CCOT Essay:
Basic Core (up to 7 points possible)
1. Has acceptable thesis – 1 point
2. Addresses all parts of the question, though not evenly or thoroughly – 2 points; partial credit – 1 point
3. Supports thesis with appropriate historical evidence – 2 points; partial credit – 1 point
4. Uses relevant historical (global) context to explain changes and continuities – 1 point
5. Analyzes the process of continuity and change over time – 1 point
Expanded Core (2 additional points possible if all 7 from the Basic Core have been received)
-Has a clear, analytical and compressive thesis.
-Analyzes all issues of the question (as relevant): global context, chronology, causation, change, continuity, effects, content.
-Provides ample historical evidence to substantiate thesis.
-Provides links with relevant ideas, events, trends in an innovative way.
Total Possible = 9/9
Thesis
The thesis in this essay should be written very quickly, as you know the setup by now and you want as much time to write those important body paragraphs. Be sure to set the stage with a sentence about the topic and restate the prompts time frame exactly and include specific major changes you’ll discuss within the time frame that answers prompt which also including specific major continuities you’ll discuss within the time frame that answers prompt or question.
Body Paragraphs
The following section is broken into the two types of body paragraphs, the change and the continuity paragraphs.
Change Paragraphs:
Start with a specific analytical topic sentence for one of the changes you mentioned in the thesis. If it is a change, briefly describe what was happening just prior to the change (think: changing from what?) Make sure to discuss clearly and with specifics the change taking place (when and where) and use words that signal change: changed, developed, emerged, took on, revolutionized, transformed, gradually, etc. Be sure to identify how the change manifest itself (subtle, rapid, a revolution?); and offer specific evidence. Be able to analyze why the change occurred, and also analyze the EFFECTS of this change on the topic. Lastly include the Global Context: can you connect this change to something happening elsewhere in the world, at that time period or in the future? Do this as much as possible to try to get the Global Context point in the Scoring guide.
Continuity Paragraphs:
Start with a specific analytical topic sentence for one of the continuities you mentioned in the thesis. Explain how, in the middle of any changes you mentioned already in the essay, your continuity remains throughout the time period. Be able to explain your continuity with specifics, and use words that signal continuity: continued, lingered, remained, preserved, remained, upheld, consistently, etc. Analyze why things are staying the same throughout the time periods. Be sure to use Global Context: does the continuity have a connection to something happening elsewhere in the world, at that time period or in the future? Do this as much as possible to try to get the Global Context point in the Scoring guide.
Conclusion
This is the like all the other conclusions, where you should be able to restate your thesis with different wording. The last sentence in your conclusion should explain where things will go historically in the era after your topi. Again, if you are short on time, cut the conclusion and instead try to finish your body paragraphs.
If you follow the instructions above, the CCOT should be a little easier now to write.
Scoring
The following is the scoring system for the CCOT Essay:
Basic Core (up to 7 points possible)
1. Has acceptable thesis – 1 point
2. Addresses all parts of the question, though not evenly or thoroughly – 2 points; partial credit – 1 point
3. Supports thesis with appropriate historical evidence – 2 points; partial credit – 1 point
4. Uses relevant historical (global) context to explain changes and continuities – 1 point
5. Analyzes the process of continuity and change over time – 1 point
Expanded Core (2 additional points possible if all 7 from the Basic Core have been received)
-Has a clear, analytical and compressive thesis.
-Analyzes all issues of the question (as relevant): global context, chronology, causation, change, continuity, effects, content.
-Provides ample historical evidence to substantiate thesis.
-Provides links with relevant ideas, events, trends in an innovative way.
Total Possible = 9/9