Essay Writing Strategies
AP European History
Students taking the AP European History Exam in May are expected to demonstrate competence in writing on
three different essays, which account for ½ of the AP Score. It is absolutely critical that students become
proficient writers if they hope to have any chance of earning college credit. This handout contains some
guidelines and suggestions for “how to write” an AP History essay.
Basic Writing Principles
1. Take time to plan your response BEFORE you begin writing!
a. Poor results in poor organization, which leads to low scores on essays.
i. FRQ (free response questions) essays are scored in part based upon the overall
organization of the essay.
ii. DBQ essays must have strong organization in order to show grouping and support a
thesis.
b. Be sure to focus on the question and do what the question asks you to do!!!
2. Use the following essay format
a. Introductory paragraph
i. Should introduce the essay
ii. Must address all parts of the question
iii. Must contain a clear, explicit thesis
1. it is not a thesis if it doesn’t address the question
2. it is not a thesis if it doesn’t clearly identify the 3 main ideas that are to be
discussed in the body of the essay
3. it is not a thesis if the reader has to interpret it; word choice should be clear,
concise, and explicit
b. Body Paragraphs
(Follow the rule of 3: 3 paragraphs, 3 pieces of evidence in each paragraph)
i. There should be 3 body paragraphs
1. For DBQ essays, each paragraph is dedicated to one of your main document
groupings
2. For FRQ essays, each paragraph should focus on a different aspect or point of
your overall argument
ii. Each paragraph MUST begin with a topic sentence (CLAIM)
1. Topic sentences must address the question
2. Topic sentences must clearly identify the main idea of the paragraph
3. For DBQ essays, the topic sentence should also identify the documents you intend
to use in that group
iii. Each paragraph MUST contain supporting evidence (DATA)
1. For DBQ Essays, you will use the documents as evidence t
2. For FRQ Essays, Use at least 3 pieces of relevant historic evidence (facts such as
names, events, concepts, works of art and/or literature, etc.) to help support each
body paragraph.
iv. Provide a thorough explanation of why all of the information you provided fits together
and how it helps to answer the question (WARRANT)
c. Concluding Paragraph
i. Reiterates the main idea of the essay
ii. Restates the thesis (do not just copy the intro thesis, change the word choice)
Essay Writing Strategies
AP European History
Template for DBQ Body Paragraph:
The following is a template for how to organize a body paragraph of a DBQ essay. Students should use this
format until they are comfortable with “how to” write the essay; those who wish to can then be more original
and creative.
Documents list the docs all reveal that define the main idea of the group. Be sure to use
terminology from the question and thesis statement. This is best demonstrated by document
identify the document #, written by identify the source. In this document, he/she summarize
how the document proves your point. Include specific references to evidence from the
document, but avoid direct quotes. The author of this document says this or feels this way
because evaluate the POV. Tell why the author feels this way. Document identify the second
document of the group also proves this same point. The author of this document, identify the
source, mentions summarize how the document proves your point and supports the thesis and
the grouping. He/she says this because evaluate the POV and tell why the author feels this way.
Other documents that further support this point include discuss the remaining documents in
the group. Be sure to identify the document by number and source, provide evidence from each
document, and attempt to evaluate the POV for each document discussed.
Reminders for the DBQ:
1. The DBQ does not assess your knowledge of history. The DBQ is a SKILL!!!
a. You do not need to know anything about history in order to be able to write a DBQ, you only
need to know “how to do” the DBQ.
b. DBQ essays often cover obscure topics students would normally never study. Therefore, you
will most likely have very little knowledge of the content addressed in the question.
2. The DBQ is created to evaluate your ability to work with documents.
a. Everything you need to know is in the documents, you just have to be able to find it and use it to
your advantage.
b. The essay is evaluated based upon how well you demonstrate understanding of the
documents. Therefore, it is critical that you use evidence from the documents to support your
analysis of the question.
3. There is no single correct answer.
a. The documents can be used and grouped in a multitude of ways.
i. As long as you do not misunderstand the documents or misuse them in an inaccurate
grouping, you will be fine.
4. You must use a majority of the documents.
a. A majority is defined as one more than half, but I am requiring you to use all but TWO
5. Follow the rule of 3 (3 groups of documents, minimum of 3 documents per group)
6. Evaluate POV in 5 or more documents
a. Tell WHY the source feels the way they do.
b. Consider the following for POV: authorial bias, the author’s background, the purpose of the
source, etc.