APWH class help/suggestions?

Test Preparation AP History & Social Sciences
1

So I’ve been in an APWH class for about 5 months now, and I’ve learned absolutely nothing. Since my teacher is not the best, I’ve been doing a lot of self studying. We take approx. only a page of notes, while the rest is emailed to us and we only get 1-2 homework assignments per month (homeworks are long and have a week or two before deadline) I use the textbook given to us (World Civilizations: AP Edition) and the APWH Barrons book. Every month or so, we have 1-2 tests on a certain topic. The thing is, I study for this one unit and after the test, it’s all gone. (test grades range from 70-80), so any good study habits? (Also, I have a HORRIBLE attention span, and I mean just horrendous) I make my own flashcards, because I somehow remember info better if I write them down myself. It’s already Feb. and the test is in 3 months.</p>

We were just assigned our first practice essays, starting with the DBQ (2002 version). I’ve been re-reading the questions/docs for the past 45 minutes and I’m absolutely confused. I understand all the docs and the question (kinda), but I don’t know where to begin. I tried to time myself (10 mins for reading docs, 40 mins writing), but eventually gave up on that because 1)The docs were confusing and took too long to understand and 2)I don’t do good under time pressure so by the time I got to my 2nd paragraph, time had run out already. The question is: </p>

<pre><code> “Using the documents, compare and contrast the attitudes of Christianity and Islam toward merchants and trade from the religions’ origins until about 1500. Are there indications of change over time in either case, or both? What kinds of additional documents would you need to assess the consequences of these attitudes on merchant activities?”
</code></pre>

  1. What is the question asking us to do? There’s like 3 different questions with confusing vocab that were combined and it’s really confusing me.
  2. How does the whole grouping work? Should I group 2 docs that share the similar ideas or with contrasting ideas?
  3. How does one go writing a thesis statement? My teacher never taught us the "outline’ of a DBQ.
  4. How does one manage time?</p>

(tips for the other 2 essays would be great,too.)</p>

I know I have serious issues that I need to manage, and I really am trying my best. This is my first FRQ, and I’m only hoping that it gets better and easier for me from here. So any advice/tips/helps/suggestions or whatever would be GREATLY appreciated. I’m terribly sorry for making you read this, but I really am just desperate. </p>

2

<p>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. </p>

<p>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).</p>

<p>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). </p>

<p>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. </p>

<p>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! </p>

3

<p>Oops, I forgot to include a few things so I’ll make bullets:
*remember to include additional documents (write what other document may support assessing a certain view throughout a civilization) that would help support information on determining the overall Roman (for example) view on water technology. In your case, let’s say it would help if you also had nun attitudes towards merchants but be specific. I cannot stress that enough. Include more extra document examples (typically, I do one at the end of every group paragraph) just to be safe if you have time.
*assess everything given that the question asks. Look at time that the document is from as well as the author. That will help you determine common themes as well as different as time goes by.
*assess the reliability of your source in your essay. Do this for as many as time allots
*don’t panic, as DBQ writing is a process that will become easier as you do it more so practice, practice, practice </p>

4

<p>Well I won’t even try to answer your dbq problem because 1 pocky did a pretty good job explaining it and i’ve only had like 1 practice dbq given to me…</p>

<p>to answer the first part of the post, my teacher is actually pretty easy, his reviews are pretty specific some usually i know what kind of questions would be on the test. If you’re not actually reading the WHOLE chapter and just skimming it, i would recommend reading (we have the same txtboook, mine’s 6th edition). Some of it may go over your head but i find that it helps me remember some of the stuff better, whether we just went over it a day ago or will go over it. I’ve never had the need to look at my barron’s book becasue my teachers reviews are qute specific, but i think reading over the chapters u’ve just gone over in the book would be helpful. Like if ur talking about Latin America right now and u just went over Russian during the Tsars, everyonce a while look over Russia in barrons and make it a goal to quiz urself over the important info so when u study the info the night before the test, it’ll come easier</p>

<p>Hopefully that helps, Good Luck! </p>

5

<p>Thanks SOO much Pocky and Zeppelin! Both of your comments really did help!
Pocky, thank you so much for taking the time to write such an in-depth guide. I’m about to start writing my DBQ now :)</p>

6

<p>Also, please keep in mind that if you message me, I will try to respond promptly and give further advice. Good luck! </p>