AP ESSAY PORTFOLIO
Mr. Conway
AP U.S. History
To better prepare for the essay portion of the AP test, we will be making a
portfolio of essay outlines and thesis statements for each unit. We will be using
the following procedure:
 At the end of the first semester, I will grade your portfolio of outlines / thesis
statements. This grade will count as a test grade for the 3rd 6-weeks. I will do
the same at the end of the 2nd semester, and the portfolio will count as a test
grade for the 6th 6- weeks.
 If your class is taking the essay test, you will receive a list of essay questions
to prepare an outline and thesis statement for.These are not the exact same
questions that will be on the essay test, but they are similar to the ones
that will be on the essay test.The best way to study for the essay test is to
study these outlines that you will make. You will turn in (on notebook paper) a
thesis statement and outline for each of these questions on the day of the
test. [At least 6 examples per essay.] You may not use these to write the
essay test in class. These will be placed in your portfolio. [Late outlines will be
penalized –10 points off the portfolio grade.] A couple of days after the essay
test, you will take the same scantron test that everyone else took and will
grade it yourself in class. You will turn in your graded test and receive 5
points of participation credit.
 If your class is taking the scantron test, the day of the scantron test, you will
be given a list of the essay questions for that unit. You will have to take them
home and write a thesis statement and outline for each question on notebook
paper (at least 6 examples per outline). These will be due a couple of days
later, at the beginning of class. [I will not give you a reading check the night
before they are due so you can have time to finish them.] Late outlines will be
penalized –10 points off the portfolio grade. These outlines will then be put in
your portfolio.
 Remember the following :
 Make the thesis clear
 Make sure you answer the question and take a clear position
 You might want to start your thesis with the phrase “I will argue that” –
and then erase this phrase after you have written the thesis
 I recommend that you write your thesis and outlines in pencil so that
you can erase easily
 6 examples are total for each outline – they can be divided in many
ways :
I.
I.
A.
B.
C.
D.
II.
A.
B.
A.
B.
II.
A.
B.
III.
A.
B.