APUSH Essays

Test Preparation AP History & Social Sciences
1

My friend told me that on the APUSH FRQ/DBQ questions I should always write 3 body paragraphs (5 total paragraphs). Is that true? Because a lot of the questions ask for two points, like “Analyze the development of sectionalism in the US during the first half of the 19th C. with reference to TWO of the following: economic developments, slavery, cultural differences.”</p>

And it would be easiest to do one of the points in each body, with a total of 4 paragraphs.</p>

P.S. sorry if this was already discussed in another thread! I looked around but didn’t find anything.</p>

2

My teachers have always said to strive for 5. Concerning FRQ’s, 5 is a great number of paragraphs total. That is, if it is needed. For a question like the one you said, 4 can be great if you give a ton of information. Make strong, cohesive paragraphs. I’ve seen essays that have received 9’s and they only had 4 paragraphs.</p>

DBQ’s don’t require 5. Use as many as you need to in order to answer the question.</p>