[APWH] Help writing essays efficiently?

Test Preparation AP History & Social Sciences
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The AP test is in approximately a month, and I feel pretty good about how I’ve been studying and the material in a general sort of way. However, in my classes we only recently started doing timed essays (we’ve done essays before, but could always use a textbook/take it home), and even of those, they were only DBQs.</p>

My first DBQ I received a 6 because I rushed somewhat and ended up with a bad thesis. The second has yet to be graded. The thing is, every time I’ve taken it, it’s been a desperate rush to fit it all in. I did try to budget my time neatly with about ten minutes for every paragraph, and then a wild two sentence conclusion scribbled out in the time I had left. I’m a good essay writer; English is one of my strong suits. But I’m also very verbose and tend to write way too much, and that’s a no-go for the test.</p>

So! I’d really appreciate any and all tips on how to write an efficient, concise FRQ. How much detail is appropriate to support a claim? How much do those standards vary between the three types of essays? What are parts of the essay can I sort of shirk/not put as much effort into without taking a serious chunk out of my score?</p>

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<p>Write write write write. Do all of the DBQs yourself and grade them, the collegeboard APWH page has great essays that give you scoring guidelines and everything. The more you write the more accustomed you will become to what you have to do. Try out new methods, I use some quirky ones that work well for me:</p>

<p><a href=“Does Anybody Else Do This? - AP History & Social Sciences - College Confidential Forums”>Does Anybody Else Do This? - AP History & Social Sciences - College Confidential Forums;

3

<p>From my experience, just try to fit in as much relevant information as possible that helps support your thesis. For me, that’s usually 3 pieces of evidence per body paragraph. Make sure it’s RELEVANT and you can analyze it! Honestly, don’t worry too much about conclusions. Focus on the body of your essay (intro is important too). When I took that AP exam, I first wrote all the main parts of my essays, leaving the conclusions for the very end if I had extra time (which I did, just barely). </p>