Tips for Taking the Exam h 45- Write a solid thesis statement. Do not simply restate the question. Be sure that you
take a stand on one side of the topic addressed by the essay prompt. - Show by your analysis of the documents that you understand their meaning. You
may misinterpret one document and still receive the point for this task. - Use evidence from all or all but one of the documents to support your thesis. Give
specifi c supporting details from the documents. - Analyze the documents by grouping them in two or three ways, depending on
the question. Do not merely list your documents or summarize them individually in
the order in which they appear in the text. - Analyze point of view in at least two documents. Begin this task by looking at the
author, the author’s background, the date on which the document was written, and any
other information provided in the attribution, or the introductory information given
before the document. In your essay, discuss how the author’s background formed his or
her point of view. - Identify one type of additional document or source that would be useful in analyz-
ing the essay prompt. Ask yourself, “Whose voice or opinion is missing?” Explain why
the document or source is needed.
If you perform all the above tasks satisfactorily, you will receive a total of seven points on
the document-based question. You are then eligible to earn one or two additional points by
writing an essay that displays one or more quality points such as:- An exceptionally clear, analytical thesis.
- Exceptionally strong analysis of the documents.
- Analysis of point of view in most of the documents.
- The addition of appropriate additional historical evidence or more than one additional
document.
The following are some frequently asked questions regarding the document-based question:- How do I begin answering the question? Read the question carefully so that you
know what the question is asking you to do. A good idea is to underline the task word
(such as analyze, compare, evaluate), the topic, and the time parameters (dates, centu-
ries, or periods) contained in the essay prompt. - What is the next step? Group your documents in several useful categories.
- How do I cite the documents? A manner of citation that is especially useful for the
reader who scores your essay is to include the number of the document in parentheses
after making a reference to it, for example: (Document 2). You also may choose to
mention the name of the author or quote or paraphrase from the document to identify
it. - Where do I place the analysis of bias or point of view? This analysis may be placed
anywhere in the essay. It is most effective, however, if discussed in the same paragraph
in which the document is analyzed. - Where do I mention the need for an additional document? The discussion of the
additional document may be included anywhere in the essay.
STRATEGY
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