Transcript Writing for AP History

Writing for
History
World History 2014-2015
Writing for history (v.
for language arts)
• History essays should be objective (not
creative writing!)
• Your essay should make an argument
& seek to prove that argument
• Organization is important! (Intro., body
paragraphs, conclusion)
• This is a test of your knowledge of
history (include content-related
vocabulary!)
General tips for good
writing . . .
• No personal pronouns! Use 3rd person.
• Avoid asking rhetorical questions (state
the facts).
• No “fluff”—get to the point (this is
timed!)
• Spelling and grammar
are not graded, but “Fluffy”
they do make an
impression!
Pre-writing
• Pre-writing is crucial!! It helps you focus on
the prompt.
• Start by “dissecting” prompt:
Compare and contrast the goals and
philosophies of the Federalists and
Democratic-Republicans following the
ratification of the Constitution.
Pre-writing
Compare and contrast the goals and
philosophies of the Federalists and
Democratic-Republicans following the
ratification of the Constitution.
Pre-writing Strategies
• Adjust your pre-writing strategies for
different writing tasks!
– Venn Diagrams
– 3-column charts
– Cause/Effect Charts
– “Change Over Time”
– Outlines/Box Outlines
Writing a THESIS
• The thesis statement is the MOST
important sentence of your essay!
• Make an argument!! (Make sure it is
interesting and it can be proven.)
• Do not simply re-state the prompt.
• The thesis should also provide a “road
map” for the rest of
your essay.
• A good thesis could be
1 or 2 sentences.
Organizing Your Body
Paragraphs
• 2-4 body paragraphs are suggested
(depending on prompt).
• Structure of a body paragraph:
– Topic sentence/Transition sentence
– 4-5 sentences of supporting evidence
(historical examples & details)
Oww—it
– Concluding/transition sentence
hurts!!!
• In a DBQ, document references serve as
“evidence” in your body paragraphs.
• In a “free-response” question,
evidence must come from your brain!!
Acronyms to organize
your thoughts . . .
• PIRATES!!
• P= political
• I= intellectual
• R= religious
• A= artistic
• T= technological
• E= economic
• S= social
Acronyms to organize
your thoughts . . .
• SOAPSTone (also for written documents)
• S= Subject
• O= Occasion
• A= Audience
• P= Purpose
• S= Speaker & POV
• Tone (Attitude, emotion)
Acronyms to organize
your thoughts . . .
• CORNPEG (for analyzing “Point of
View”, in particular)
• Class
• Occupation
• Religion
• Nationality
• Political Affiliation
• Ethnicity
• Gender