FE - Short Answer Questions (Lesson)

Short Answer Questions

As you learned in the Preparing for the Exam module, on the AP Exam you will be required to answer 3 short answer questions in 40 minutes. During the course, you will practice writing these short answer questions in some of the modules and every other unit exam will include 1 short answer question.

These short answer questions are not formal 5 paragraph essays. This is demonstrated by the fact that when tested you only have about 10 minutes to write your answer to each question.

You do not have to have a formal thesis statement for these essays. However, you will still have to apply standard grammatical rules to writing the short answers.

Use a paragraph structure and you will likely have 1 or 2 full paragraphs (go for a half page and no more than a page of double-spaced 12-point font) in writing the responses. Always write in complete sentences and use proper punctuation, including capitalization.

Do not write in first person (Example, "I think that..." Remember no references to “I” or “you” on any of your AP responses).

When writing your short answers address the question directly.

These are to be short and to the point, so don't get on an unrelated tangent or try to write too much about one topic.

What you should have is a concise, factually accurate answer that shows higher-level historical thought and analysis.

You could also be given a quote or document that you will analyze. Think about how you will answer the question, but don't spend too much time planning as you have limited time on the tests.

 

 

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