📌 General Exam Tips
- Planning + reading + annotation: 15 min
- Essay writing: ~40 min
- Read the prompt carefully before writing anything
- Circle key action words (analyze, explain, describe, identify)
- If plural → you MUST give multiple answers
- Use wording from the prompt in your response
- Always use specific proper nouns for credibility
- DO NOT use bullet points in final essays
ACE Method (Use everywhere)
- Answer with a claim
- Cite specific evidence
- Explain how evidence proves claim
📘 DBQ — Requirements & Structure
What is it?
A document-based essay using provided sources to build an argument.
Must Include:
- Thesis / Claim
- Contextualization
- Document Evidence
- Analysis (HIPPO)
Basic Outline
- Contextualization
- Body Paragraph 1
- Body Paragraph 2
- Body Paragraph 3
- Conclusion (if time)
Contextualization (3–4 sentences)
Give background BEFORE and DURING the time period. End with your thesis.
Thesis Rules
- Do NOT restate prompt
- Must answer HOW or WHY
- Include time period + location
- Should include 3 arguments
Although [counterargument], [claim], because [reason 1], [reason 2], and [reason 3].
Body Paragraph Requirements
- Topic sentence tied to thesis
- Use 2–3 documents minimum per paragraph
- Explain documents (do NOT just quote)
- At least 1 outside evidence point
HIPPO Analysis
- Historical situation
- Intended audience
- Purpose
- Point of view
- Outside evidence
Conclusion
Briefly restate argument + show complexity or big-picture understanding.
📗 LEQ — Structure
What is it?
A long essay question testing causation, comparison, or continuity/change.
Outline
- Contextualization
- Body Paragraph 1
- Body Paragraph 2
- Conclusion (optional)
Thesis Rules
- Do NOT restate prompt
- Must answer HOW or WHY
- Include 3 clear points
- Include time period + location
While [similarity], [topic 1] and [topic 2] differ in [difference 1] and [difference 2].
Body Paragraph Rule
- Topic sentence first
- Use specific historical evidence
- Add outside knowledge when possible
- Be extremely specific (no vague claims)
PERSIANS Reminder
- Political
- Economic
- Religious
- Social
- Intellectual
- Artistic
- Geographic
- Significant figures
📙 SAQ — Format
What is it?
Short answers (2–4 sentences) testing direct factual knowledge.
Rules
- No thesis needed
- Must write full sentences
- Answer EVERYTHING
- Do NOT leave blanks
ACE Format
- Answer directly
- Cite one fact
- Explain connection
Scoring Tip
Each part (A, B, C) = 1 point → total 9 points possible.
✨ Final Scoring Mindset
- Clarity > Complexity
- Specific evidence = points
- Every paragraph must prove something
- If stuck, default to ACE structure