How the Long Essay is 
    How the Long Essay is 
       Evaluated
       Evaluated
     The Long Essay Question
     The Long Essay Question
  The AP U.S. History exam gives 
    The AP U.S. History exam gives 
    students a choice between two long-
    students a choice between two long-
    essay questions that focus on the 
    essay questions that focus on the 
    same thinking skill but may apply to 
    same thinking skill but may apply to 
    different time periods and thematic 
    different time periods and thematic 
    learning objectives. 
    learning objectives. 
  You will have 35 minutes to answer 
    You will have 35 minutes to answer 
    the one question you select. 
    the one question you select. 
                     Criteria 
                     Criteria 
  A. Argumentation 
    A. Argumentation 
     Develop a thesis or relevant argument that addresses all 
      Develop a thesis or relevant argument that addresses all 
      parts of the question.
      parts of the question.
  B. Use of Evidence 
    B. Use of Evidence 
     Support the thesis using specific evidence, clearly linked 
      Support the thesis using specific evidence, clearly linked 
      to the thesis.
      to the thesis.
  C. Targeted Historical Thinking Skill
    C. Targeted Historical Thinking Skill
     Each question will also assess an additional thinking skill, 
      Each question will also assess an additional thinking skill, 
      such as causation, comparison, continuity and change 
      such as causation, comparison, continuity and change 
      over time, or periodization.
      over time, or periodization.
  D. Synthesis 
    D. Synthesis 
     Written answers need to synthesize the argument, 
      Written answers need to synthesize the argument, 
      evidence, and context in a coherent and persuasive essay.
      evidence, and context in a coherent and persuasive essay.
  Development of Essay Writing 
  Development of Essay Writing 
              Skills
              Skills
  You will most benefit from starting 
    You will most benefit from starting 
    the practice of writing AP history 
    the practice of writing AP history 
    essays as early as possible.
    essays as early as possible.
  Instead of writing and rewriting 
    Instead of writing and rewriting 
    complete essays until all elements 
    complete essays until all elements 
    are mastered, break down the skills 
    are mastered, break down the skills 
    needed to write an effective AP 
    needed to write an effective AP 
    history essay into sequential steps. 
    history essay into sequential steps. 
        Long Essay Steps
        Long Essay Steps
  1. Analyze the Question
    1. Analyze the Question
  2. Organize the Evidence
    2. Organize the Evidence
  3. Develop the Thesis
    3. Develop the Thesis
  4. Write the Introductory Paragraph
    4. Write the Introductory Paragraph
  5. Write the Supporting Paragraphs 
    5. Write the Supporting Paragraphs 
    and Conclusion
    and Conclusion
  6. Evaluate Your Essay
    6. Evaluate Your Essay