APWH class help/suggestions?

Pocky1234
Mon, 03 Feb 2014 22:34:02 +0000

Ah, I did that essay recently and can help give you advice if you’d like.
How about we begin with the DBQ?
The question is asking you to analyze several documents to compare and contrast the attitudes of Christian and Islam merchants until about 1500. Before we delve into the further questions, let’s begin with that.
Read all of the documents while paying attention to who wrote it and the tone. For example, let’s say there was a document from the Qur’an about how God views trading. Use your judgement and factor in the author or source in terms of how reliable this was in terms of seeing merchant’s views. You could say that this was the origin of their beliefs or their common book of beliefs set by the religion.
After going through all of the documents, find common threads in each. For example, several documents may talk about a good attitude towards trade while others may be neutral with maybe two viewing trade as bad. Just make sure you group all of your documents (that’ll ensure you a point by itself, so this is very important). Some documents may have several things in common and it is okay to have one document in several groups but one in only one grouping.

I just realized I’m not addressing your questions in the most orderly fashion but I hope this still helps you somewhat. As for (3), the thesis, keep in mind that this is the most important part of your essay and stands as the first impression that AP readers will have. Begin by using the language of the question where you analyze what the question is asking while presenting your groupings that you will use throughout your essay. Below is an example thesis for a DBQ on the Han and Roman attitudes towards technology comparatively:
“Both the Han and Romans had progressive attitudes towards technology. This was defined by their generally positive attitude towards water technology, their shared concern on the development of transportation technology, their contradictory views to the labor used to implement this technology, and their vastly differing attitudes regarding tool manufacturing.”
If you dissect this, you can see that the thesis answers the question by first comparatively analyzing the groups who you are to look at (Christian and Islam merchants in your case) which is then followed by the introduction of the four groupings that they have used (typically two-three is recommended, I was pressed for time due to having so many groups). Remember, the thesis is where you are brief on your groupings to give your reader a preview of your essay. You can have it at the end of the DBQ but I would suggest keeping it at the front and writing a conclusion if you have time. If you need anymore help on this, your teacher should help. If not, I’ll try my best (current AP World student here who is passionate about the study).

Ah, (4) may be a bit harder to answer because I cram so much into my essays but start off by writing quickly though make sure it is readable. I write in cursive to save a bunch of time, for example. Otherwise, think quick and write, write, write (be quick about your overview of documents but through enough to understand).

Tip: Make sure not to say the word document at all. Cite it at the end like this: (doc 2). Just say what it is, such as, “In a primary source from Tojo Hideki regarding his views on America during the war…(doc #).” Make sure to also include tidbits from WH, it’ll help you earn expanded core points so include supporting facts about Christian and Islam merchant beliefs in your essay. Even better, put it on a global context. For example, for a passage of the Bible where God shuns merchants for selling the goods of others, you could compare this to how in China during this time was very similar, as merchants were believed to be the lowest class because they made money off of other’s goods.

If you have anymore questions, I’ll try my best and I hope this helped you! Also, if you need help on the other two essays, don’t be afraid to ask. Good luck!