cracking the free-response questions. what is the free-response question two-part essay section...
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What is the Free-Response Question
Two-part essay section consisting of two groups of questions
First group asks questions about the period before the Civil War
Second groups asks questions about the period after the Civil War
You must choose 1 question from each group
Free Response is the final section of the AP US History Exam
Administered immediately following the DBQ
70 minutes to plan and write both essaysGraded on a scale of 1-9Free Response is worth 25% of your AP
Grade
So Remember…Free Response has 2 pairs of questions-
you must answer 1 question from each of the pairs (1st pair: pre-Civil War; 2nd pair: post 1865)
Choose the questions you know most, not ones that look easiest
Analyze the question. Circle/underline important words and phrases
Once you understand, create grids, graphs, columns, diagrams in which to organize your notes on the essay
Decide on a thesis, and then write an outline for your essay
Follow your outline. Stick to one important idea per paragraph
Support your ideas with historical evidenceWrite clearly and neatly. Do not write overly
complex sentencesUse transition words to indicate continuity
of thought and changes in the direction of your argument
Stay positive. Do not panic.
Look at the Free Response Rubric
What are the differences in:Superior EssayStrong EssayAdequate EssayEssay-AP Score 2-4Essay-AP Score 1
Unit II Free-Response SamplesQuestion # 1
Explain the influence of TWO of the following on the U.S. decision to go to war in 1812Embargo policies of Jefferson and
MadisonBritish impressment of American
seamenSettlers’ conflicts with Native AmericansExpansionist goals of the War Hawks
Sample answer to question 1
The U.S. went into the war of 1812 because of British impressment of American seamen and the embargo policies of Jefferson and Madison
Based on the rubric, what would you rate this?
Superior thesis (with strong analysis)Strong thesis (contains general analysis)Clear thesis (needs general analysis)Undeveloped thesis (simple thesis, no
analysis)No thesis
What is analysis?
In a history based essay analysis refers to using historical evidence to support Cause and EffectHowWhy
Now, based on the rubric, what would you rate this?
Superior thesis (with strong analysis)Strong thesis (contains general analysis)Clear thesis (needs general analysis)Undeveloped thesis (simple thesis, no
analysis)No thesis
Undeveloped thesis
Why?It simply restates the questionDoes not have any analysisNo why, causes and effect or how
addressed in thesis statement
What would a superior thesis look like?
Clearly answers all parts of the questionCan be 1-2 sentences in the first
paragraph of the essayProvides clear analysis of the topic by
addressing why, cause and effect and/or how
Undeveloped thesis
The U.S. went into the war of 1812 because of British impressment of American seamen and the embargo policies of Jefferson and Madison
Clear thesis (needs more general analysis)
The War of 1812 had many causes, but the two most significant causes are British impressment of American seamen and embargo policies of Jefferson and Madison.
Strong thesis (contains general analysis)
The War of 1812 had many causes, but the two most significant causes are British impressment of American seamen and embargo policies of Jefferson and Madison. The issue of British ships taking American sailors fueled the anger of Americans towards the British. In addition to impressment, the embargo acts negatively impacted American and British trade, further fueling the desire to go war with the British.
Superior thesisThe U.S. went into the war of 1812 because of British impressment of American seamen and the embargo policies of Jefferson and Madison. Although Washington had the Jay Treaty with Britain, the issue of British ships taking American sailors was not addressed, fueling the anger towards the British among Americans. To address the issue of impressment, Jefferson and Madison enacted embargo policies, which resulted in negatively impacting both United States’ and British trade, further adding to the desire to go to war with Britain.
Sample introduction paragraphAfter fighting for American independence and winning, the U.S. did not want further conflict with Great Britain. The U.S. was able to avoid a second war with Britain for25 years, but in 1812, the U.S. and Britain were engaged in conflict once again. This war became known as the War of 1812. The War of 1812 had many causes, but the two most significant causes are British impressment of American seamen and embargo policies of Jefferson and Madison. Although Washington had the Jay Treaty with Britain, the issue of British ships taking American sailors was not addressed, fueling the anger towards the British among Americans. To address this issue of impressment, Jefferson and Madison enacted embargo policies, which resulted in negatively impacting both United States’ and British trade, again fueling the desire for war with Britain.
What will the rest of the essay look like?
Paragraph 2 TS:After winning its independence, the United States
wanted to avoid further foreign conflict in order to focus on domestic issues as evident through the Neutrality Proclamation and Jay Treaty.
Paragraph 3 TS:Although Washington had signed the Jay Treaty in
hopes of avoiding conflict with Britain, the issue of British impressment of sailors continued, which made Americans angry towards the British.
Paragraph 4 TSIn reaction to British impressment, President
Jefferson and Madison passed embargo acts. One of the goals of the embargo acts was to force Britain to stop impressing sailors. The result of the embargo acts through, was that both American and Britain trade was negatively impacted.
ConclusionRestate thesis : impressment and embargo acts
were most influential causes of War of 1812Restate 3 points:
US wanted to avoid conflictBritish impressment continuedEmbargo acts hurt US economically