Document Based Questions

(DBQ's)

25%

• 1 Question, 60 minutes

• Points earned by showing specific skills, not on the "English class" quality of the essay

• 7 Documents provided to assist with supporting your thesis

• Documents should never  be used in same order that they are given...must sort them into 2-3 groups of ideas.  Each group should serve as a part of your thesis and 1 or more body paragraphs per group.

• For top score, must use all or all but 1 documents effectively.  Must also provide deeper analysis (HIPPo) of at least 4 of the documents. 

• Must include Contextualization of the essay time period...what else is occurring around the same time and how might those events influence the topic.

• Must include Synthesis to compare events in time period with events in another time period before or after.

• Must include outside evidence: Specific Factual Information (SFI) that is relevant to the essay.  These would be your vocabulary terms/Crossword Puzzle answers.

Short Answer Questions

(SAQ's)

20%

• 3 questions, 40 Minutes

• 3 parts each-1 pt. per part

  • 9 pts. total

• Must stay in the box

• Label A. B. C. for your response

• Cannot "double count" ideas for points on different parts of same question.  Must provide new, unique information.

• Question 1 (required)

  • periods 3–8

• Question 2 (required)

  • periods 3–8

• Question 3 (option)

  • periods 1–5

--OR--

• Question 4 (option)

  • periods 6–9

ACE each part (a,b,c) of the question

Answer the question provided (not the one you wish they asked). Be intentional with your wording and take from the prompt. 

(e.g. if a prompt asks to briefly explain a main argument from Thomas Jefferson, the you want to state: "Jefferson believes that..."

Cite Specific Factual Information (SFI); vocabulary terms, names, places etc. to show knowledge not contained in the given information

          Explain/Expand how the SFI             helps answer the question with supporting details

Answers will normally run 2-3 sentences per A, B, C section.

**Do NOT quote or cut and paste phrases from the given passage.  Readers will not factor that into your answer and begin to form opinion that writer does not understand the subject.

Long Essay Questions

(LEQ's)

15%

• 1 Question,40 minutes

• Choice of 3 questions

  • Period 1-3

  • Period 4-6

  • Period 7-9

• Points earned by meeting tasks shown on the rubric, not on the "English class" quality of the essay

• No documents to weave into your writing.

• Each prompt will target one of these skills:

1. Comparison picking out similarities and differences (Compare and Contrast the accomplishments of reformers from 1830-1850 with reforms from 1900-1930.)

2. Continuity and Change of Time (CCOT) can show how large aspects of our country changed and stayed the same over a range of years (To what extent did western expansion maintain continuity and foster change in American democracy during the period between 1800 and 1850?)

3. Causation which describes causes and or effects of a historical event, development or process. (Evaluate how World War 2 effected American foreign policy 1945-1980.)

• Must include thesis

• Receive 1 point for doing the required skill at a basic level and an additional point for depth of explanation

• Receive 1 point for providing evidence to support claim and additional point for multiple specific examples.

• Synthesis-same as in the DBQ