AP European History
FRE & DBQ
Lesson #1:
The Essay Prompt
The Prompt
 All
AP essays are written in response
to an essay “prompt.” or “question.”
Examples of Prompts


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Sample prompt:
Analyze the factors that contributed to the
increasing centralization of Spain and the factors
that contributed to the continuing fragmentation
of Italy in the period 1450–1550.
Compare and contrast Enlightenment and
Romantic views of nature, with reference to
specific individuals and their works.
STEP #1
READ THE WHOLE QUESTION
The first thing you need to do is to read the
WHOLE prompt, every word of it. This is
especially true if the prompt is in two sentences
like this one….
How successful was organized labor in improving
the position of workers in the period from 1875
to 1900? Analyze the factors that contributed to
the level of success achieved

STEP #2
IDENTIFY WHAT YOU ARE BEING
ASKED TO DO
 Having read the whole prompt, circle or underline
the THING YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO
DO.
Analyze the factors that contributed to the
increasing centralization of Spain and the factors
that contributed to the continuing fragmentation
of Italy in the period 1450–1550.
 What are you being asked to do? ANALYZE.
The following is a list of
THINGS YOU MIGHT BE
ASKED TO DO as used by the
College Board.

Analyze – MOST COMMON


Explain how AND why something occurred. Any
question that uses “how” and/or “why” is an analysis
question even if the word “analyze” is not in the
prompt.
Compare AND contrast – SECOND MOST
COMMON

To do this correctly you need to discuss both
similarities AND differences between two events or
periods. It is important to do both in as balanced a
way as possible without shortcoming either.

Evaluate


Which factor is more important. You usually need
to rank several events or factors and specify which is
most and which is least significant.
To what extent

This prompt frequently requires you to specify a
cause and effect relationship and then state which
causes are most important.

Discuss or consider


These are frequently used in FRE prompts and should
be written as analysis essays.
Assess the validity

How true or valid is the statement. The statement
does not have to be all true (remember the historical
grey area!). It can be true in one instance or
circumstance and false in another.
STEP #3
UNDERLINE
CONJUNCTIONS

After finding the verbs, look carefully and mark
any CONJUNCTIONS and circle or underline
them. For instance
Compare and contrast the ways in which the French
Revolution and the Russian Revolution changed the
status of women.

You must compare AND contrast these
revolutions to successfully complete the task.
STEP #4
UNDERSTAND THE DATES
Understand the TIME SPAN you are being asked
to address.
If the prompt asks you to discuss during a given
time span (for example, the period between 1865
and 1900), then you must include information from
the WHOLE time period.
Tip: list the facts from the last 10 years of the time period
FIRST, then work backwards with the details.
Things to Know


If you see the word various you are expected to
name at least three views, examples, etc. to
support your point.
If your question is not nation specific, you need
to mention more than one location
Samples

“Analyze various ways in which the Protestant
reformation between 1500-1700 saw the
relationship between church and state”

“Analyze various ways in which religious reform
in the sixteenth and seventeenth century
influenced the arts”
STEP #5
BEGIN OUTLINE



After you are clear as to your task ( analyze,
evaluate, assess the validity, etc.), sketch out a
quick, informal, OUTLINE of how you are
going to proceed. This is very important in
guaranteeing that you address all parts of the
prompt.
Your outline should also include the major facts
you are going to address in the essay paragraph by
paragraph.
Your outline will serve as a check-off list so you
don’t forget anything in your discussion.
STEP #5
BEGIN OUTLINE
STEP #5
BEGIN OUTLINE
Analyze the ways in which the events of the French
Revolutionary and Napoleonic period (1789–1815)
led people to challenge Enlightenment views of
society, politics, and human nature.
Graphic Outline
French Revolutionary Era
Napoleonic Era
1789 Conscription,
1815
Napoleonic Code,
French military
success, etc.
Sample Outline
Thesis statement
Topic of Body Paragraph 1
You will only have 5
minutes to write your
thesis and your outline for
an FRE.

Topic of Body Paragraph 2
 Understand what the
question is asking you
to do.

Topic of Body Paragraph 3
 Create a visual outline



Conclusion (might also
include your thesis
statement)
 Write a compelling
thesis statement.
AP European History
FRE & DBQ
Lesson #2:
The Thesis Statement
The Thesis statement is the
most important part of your
essay.
It must be clear and properly
structured.
Current AP essay rubrics award high
scores to essays that have “clear, welldeveloped thesis” that is “focused on
the prompt” and “guides the essay
throughout.”
A Thesis Statement…….
defines the scope and purpose of the paper. It needs to meet
three criteria:
1. It must be arguable rather than a statement of fact. It
should also say something original about the topic.
2. It must be limited enough so that the paper develops in
some depth.
3. It must be unified so that the paper does not stray from
the topic.

After
reading the whole prompt
 figuring out what you are being asked to do
 underlining conjunctions
 understanding the time frame
 creating an outline


Then you Answer
the prompt with a
thesis statement.
???????
Although
While
Despite
A thesis statement defines the scope and purpose of
the paper. It needs to meet three criteria:
1. It must be arguable rather than a statement of fact.
It should also say something original about the topic.
2. It must be limited enough so that the paper develops
in some depth.
3. It must be unified so that the paper does not stray
from the topic.


It is extremely important to get your thinking
clearly into a simple “answer” to the prompt.
Try not to restate the wording of the prompt.
Rather than saying “ the time period of 1620-1700,”
say “ the early decades of the 17th century” or “the
early decades of colonial settlement…”
 Rather than saying “English colonists,” refer to
American colonists, British colonists or settlers.

Sample Jot Outline


Thesis statement
Topic of Body Paragraph 1


Topic of Body Paragraph 2


SFE
Topic of Body Paragraph 3


SFE
SFE
Concluding sentences
You will only have 5
minutes to write your
thesis and your outline for
an FRE.
You will only 15 minutes
to read the documents,
write your thesis and your
outline for a DBQ so……
Knowing the FACTS and
understanding what the
question is asking you to
do is vital to your success!!