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Writing Guide
Miss Beck
There are three important writing assignment categories in AP World History.
All of the categories are tested on the AP World History exam. This guide is meant to
help you understand what is expected for each category and how to write for each
type of assignment.
Before you understand how to write the required essays, you should know
how to write an appropriate thesis for AP World History. While the thesis writing you
learned may be appropriate in other academic classes, it must be enhanced for AP
World History. All scoring guides on the AP World History exam (the same ones used
to grade your work in class) emphasize the thesis statement. The rubric states you
must have an acceptable thesis. The challenge lies in knowing what is acceptable.
THESIS WRITING
A thesis should be a specific argument that answers the question at hand.
Example Test Question Prompt: Compare and contrast the Roman Empire during 206
BCE-220 CE with the Spanish Empire of the sixteenth century.
Your thesis should include one comparison and one contrast while referencing both
empires and time frames. A generic thesis would be:
There were many similarities and differences between the Roman
Empire during 206 BCE-200 CE and the Spanish Empire of the
sixteenth century.
For AP World History you need to do more than what is stated above. It is too
general and simply repeats the prompt. In other words, you need to create a better
thesis. An AP World History thesis would read:
There were many similarities and differences between the Roman
Empire during 206 BCE-220 CE and the Spanish Empire of the
sixteenth century. One was land-based while the other was sea-based
yet they both grew rich from conquest of territory outside their
boundaries.
All you must do is present an argument in your thesis. A short thesis is always
better than a long one. A thesis that is too long may cause you to lose points.
Additionally, do not split up your thesis. Make sure it is all in one place.
Developing better thesis writing is simply by practice. You will be offered multiple
opportunities to develop you thesis writing skills. Please utilize them!
Yes, an additional document! Your DBQ is not just about the documents you see on
the paper, but also one you can recall from reading. There will be plenty to prepare
you ahead of time. It is simply a matter of remembering what they consist of and
including them.
DBQ Scoring Rubric
Basic Core
Is the thesis acceptable?
Does the student address all of the
documents and demonstrate
Points
1
1
2
(1)
1
1
1
If you score 7 out of 7 on the Basic Core you are eligible to receive points for the
Expanded Core.
Expanded Core
Does the student have a comprehensive,
analytical, and explicit thesis?
Points
0-2
Assess/Evaluate
Compare
Contrast
Describe
Discuss
Explain
Definition
Study or examine the
structure of something or
how its parts are put
together
Examine something in
order to judge it
Examine things or people
in order to discover the
similarities and
differences. You need to
deal with both the
similarities and the
differences. When you see
compare, think compare
and contrast.
Examine things or people
in order to discover the
differences
Give an account of
something by discussing
the details or its
characteristics
Consider a topic in writing
or to write about
Tell why something is or
give an account with
clarity and detail to be
understood by someone
else
South America
Southeast Africa
India and the Himalayas
Eastern Europe
Overall, this question is designed to have you discuss how something in world
history has changed over time and what has stayed the same. The essay will likely
require you to write over more than one time period specified by the College Board.
In other words, the essay may cover more than one unit. Please keep the following
in mind:
Show CHANGE OVER TIME and avoid discussing simply the beginning and end
of a process.
Remember to show continuity- how things have not changed over time.
Include as much historical evidence as possible.
Points
1
(1)
(1)
Expanded Core
Does the student have a clear,
analytical, and comprehensive thesis?
Points
0-2
1
7
COMPARATIVE ESSAY:
For this writing component you will be asked to write about two major societies
and how they interacted with one another. You may also be asked to compare
and contrast them based on a major theme or event.
Please keep the following in mind:
Points
1
2
(1)
(1)
1
7
Points
0-2