~ Ten minute reading period and then two hours to write three exams.
~ The three essays are the Document based question (DBQ), the change-over-time essay, and the comparative essay.
~ The DBQ provides you with documents to base you essay on.
~ The change-over-time essay asks you to analyze the changes and continuities that occurred within a certain period of time.
~ The comparative essay asks you to compare and contrast two episodes, cultures,religions or other historical phenomenon for a given time period.
~ A good thesis is an important factor of your grade.
For a Good Thesis
~ State your claim clearly
~ Define terms, context, and chronology of the events under discussion.
~ Describe why your claim is true.
What's "Acceptable"
~To have a solid acceptable thesis you need to , GIve Em' What They Want, Show Em' Where You Got It, and Help Em' Get There.
~ To analyze explain how and why something happens and what the impacts were.
~ To compare and contrast explain what causes the similarities and differences
Give Em' What They Want
~ Don't reword the question by using a hack introductory.
~ Use your first sentence could indicate what is to come in the rest of the thesis and in the body of the essay and why the main topic is important.
~ Include key phrases in the thesis.
~ Make sure all aspects of question are covered.
Show Em' Where You Got It
~ Based on historical fact supposed to opinion.
~ Once you know the key phrases introduce evidence for each one.
Help Em' Get There
~ Last sentence in thesis is important as first.
DBQ Thesis
~Open with something like " After reviewing these documents it is clear that..."
~Rephrase question as an answer; include all key phrases.
~Address each part of the question with a statement and a document reference or an example.
~Make the transition to the Body of the essay by citing the additional document:" To better understand how these documents relate to each other, an document about x would be useful..."
Change-Over-Time Essay Thesis
~ Rephrase the question a an answer; include all key phrases.
~ Address each part of the question with a statement and evidence.
~ Make the transition to the body of the essay with a sentence like, " To better under stand these changes..."
Comparative Essay
~ Rephrase the Question as an answer; include all key phrases.
~ Address each part of the questions with a statement and evidence.
~ Include both similarities and differences.
~ Make the transition to the body of the essay with a sentence like, "To better understand these similarities and differences between two societies..."
Hints
~Minimum of 4 to 6 paragraphs
~Use Transitional words and trigger words to highlight important points.
~ Write neatly
~ If you don't know how to spell a word choose another
~ Watch your time.
~Think before you write.
