1. Mr. Wyka’s AP World History
Writing to Succeed Short Answer Questions The Long Essay Question The Document Based Question Essay
Mr. Wyka’s AP World History

2. The Multiple Choice Section
Section I: Part A
Multiple Choice — 55 Questions / 55 Minutes / 40% of Exam Score
Questions appear in sets of 2 to 5.
Students analyze historical texts, interpretations, and evidence.
Primary and secondary sources, images, graphs, and maps are included.

3. Short Answer Questions
Three SAQs
SAQs scored on a scale of 0-3 points.
A.C.E.
Answer the question. Make your point.
Cite specific factual evidence.
Explain how the evidence proves your point.
4-7 sentences max per answer

4. Short Answer Questions Section I: Part B
Short Answer — 3 Questions / 40 Minutes / 20% of Exam Score
Analyze historians' interpretations, historical sources, and propositions about history.
Questions provide opportunities for students to explain the historical examples that they know best.
Some questions include texts, images, graphs, or maps.
Question 1 (required): periods 3-6
Question 2 (required): periods 3-6
Students choose between Question 3, periods 1-3, and Question 4, periods 4-6

5. The Long Essay 15% of your score 40 minutes 0 to 6 points
You will be given a choice between three time periods.
Choose the one you are strongest in.

6. How will your essay be scored? (i.e. How should I write my essay?)
Read the question CAREFULLY !
Read the Bullet Points. The Bullet Points explain what you should write for points. They are your RUBRIC.

7. How will your essay be scored? (i.e. How should I write my essay?)
Follow the Bullet Points!

8. How will your essay be scored? (i.e. How should I write my essay?)
Step 1
Write a Thesis that answers ALL parts of the question. (1 point)

9. How will your essay be scored? (i.e. How should I write my essay?)
Step 2
To get the Contextualization Point:
the response must relate the topic of the prompt to broader historical events, developments, or processes that occur before, during, or continue after the time frame of the question. This point is not awarded for merely a phrase or a reference.

10. How will your essay be scored? (i.e. How should I write my essay?)
Step 3
EVIDENCE: 1-2 possible points!
To earn one point, identify specific historical examples of evidence relevant to the topic of the prompt.
To earn two points use specific historical evidence to support an argument in response to the prompt.

11. How will your essay be scored? (i.e. How should I write my essay?)
ANALYSIS & REASONING: 1 – 2 pts
1st Point – Use historical reasoning (i.e. comparison, cause & effect, change & continuity over time) to frame an argument related to the prompt.
Easy point. Use historical reasoning as you answer the question.

12. How will your essay be scored? (i.e. How should I write my essay?)
ANALYSIS & REASONING: 1 – 2 pts
2nd Point – You earn this point by showing complex understanding of the prompt. Use new evidence to corroborate, qualify, or modify an argument addressing the prompt.
Must be developed. Can’t be just a phrase or reference.

13. How will your LEQ be scored? (i.e. How should I write my essay?)
To sum up:
1 point for Thesis
1 point for Contextualization
1-2 points for Using Relevant Evidence to address the topic.
1-2 points for Analysis & Reasoning.

14. The Document Based Question Essay
Section II: Part A
Document Based 
1 Question / 60 Minutes (includes 15-minute reading period)
25% of Exam Score
0-7 possible points

15. How will your DBQ be scored? (i.e. How should I write my essay?)
Read the question CAREFULLY!
Read the Bullet Points
Read ALL the documents.
Write a Thesis that answers ALL parts of the question. (1 point)

16. How will your DBQ be scored? (i.e. How should I write my essay?)
To get the Contextualization Point:
the response must relate the topic of the prompt to broader historical events, developments, or processes that occur before, during, or continue after the time frame of the question. This point is not awarded for merely a phrase or a reference.

17. How will your essay be scored? (i.e. How should I write my essay?)
Using Evidence From the Documents (1-2 points)
Point 1 – Use (describe) the content of at least three documents to address the prompt.
Super Easy Point.

18. How will your essay be scored? (i.e. How should I write my essay?)
Using Evidence From the Documents (1-2 points)
Point 2 – Use (describe) the content of at least six documents to support an argument in response to the prompt.
Easy Point. Describe why 6 docs should be in a particular grouping.

19. How will your essay be scored? (i.e. How should I write my essay?)
Using Evidence From BEYOND the Documents (1 point)
Use at least one additional piece of specific historical evidence from outside the documents.
Must be relevant to the prompt.
Must use more than just a phrase or a reference.
Must be different than the evidence used to earn the contextualization point.

20. How will your DBQ be scored? (i.e. How should I write my essay?)
ANALYSIS & REASONING: 1 – 2 pts
1st Point – For at least 3 documents, explain why the docs point of view, purpose, and/or audience is relevant to an argument.
Easy point. Talk about why these docs are good historical sources or bad historical sources.

21. How will your DBQ be scored? (i.e. How should I write my essay?)
ANALYSIS & REASONING: 1 – 2 pts
2nd Point – You earn this point by showing complex understanding of the prompt. Use new evidence to corroborate, qualify, or modify an argument addressing the prompt.
Must be developed. Can’t be just a phrase or reference.

22. To sum up:
1 point for Thesis
1 point for Contextualization
1-2 points for using relevant evidence from 3 to 6 Documents
1 point for using relevant evidence from outside the documents
1-2 points for analysis and reasoning

23. Final Advice
Write for points. Use the bullet points to guide your writing.
Write to the question. Read it. Re-read it.
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER Give up. Write until they tell you to stop.