AP History Help
The premier podcast for all students taking (or thinking about taking) AP History classes in high school. From skills to content to tips and pointers, Wendy will not only help you get through AP US History, AP World History, and AP European History, but she'll coach you to success on the AP exam. AP® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this podcast.
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Ace Your AP Exam with Expert Last-Minute Tips | AP History Help Podcast Episode 21
05/06/2024
Ace Your AP Exam with Expert Last-Minute Tips | AP History Help Podcast Episode 21
Get ready to conquer your AP exam with Wendy's expert advice! Whether you're facing AP World, APUSH, or Euro, Wendy shares invaluable last-minute study strategies, test-taking tips, and confidence boosters to ensure your success. From focusing on key time periods to mastering thematic thinking skills, Wendy guides you through effective study methods tailored to each exam. Discover crucial exam-specific pointers, including managing time, test-day essentials, and dealing with anxiety during the test. Plus, the pep talk will leave you feeling empowered and ready to crush the exam! Tune in now to ace your AP test with Wendy's guidance. Show Links/Notes: Website: Amazon link to AP Student Success Journal: AP History Help on YouTube List of episodes 1- Why take AP History and What to expect 2- Be prepared for your AP History course. 3- Notetaking in the AP History course 4- Review books 5- Online video options 6- Is it about the test or the class? 7- Acronyms 8- MCQ Strategies 9- SAQ Strategies 10- DBQ rubric 11- LEQ rubric 12- Contextualizing 13- Thesis Statement 14- Document summary vs. support 15- Analysis/sourcing 16- Complexity – the unicorn isn’t usually worth the effort 17- The LEQ – as compared to the DBQ rubric 3/11 18- Historical thinking skills- change and continuity- 3/25 19- Historical thinking skills – causation 4/8 20- Historical thinking skills – comparison 4/22 21- Test Day Prep 5/6 22- Post Test Show 5/20
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Historical Reasoning Skills: Comparison
04/22/2024
Historical Reasoning Skills: Comparison
"Mastering Comparison in History: Unveiling its Essence and Applications" Delve into the intricacies of historical comparison in this enlightening podcast episode. Explore the nuances of comparing different historical developments and processes across AP World History, APUSH, and AP Euro curriculums. Discover how comparison enriches your understanding and approach to exam essays, whether crafting DBQs, SAQs, LEQs, or tackling MCQs. Gain valuable insights into effectively comparing documents, texts, and interpretations, and elevate your exam strategy with expert tips and sample responses. Tune in and empower your historical thinking skills today! Show Links/Notes: Website: Amazon link to AP Student Success Journal: AP History Help on YouTube
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Causation as a Historical Reasoning Process | AP History Help Podcast Episode 19
04/08/2024
Causation as a Historical Reasoning Process | AP History Help Podcast Episode 19
Today, it's all about causation. But why does it have to be so complicated, you ask? Let's break it down. Causation involves identifying, analyzing, and evaluating the relationships among historical events and developments as both causes and effects. We'll debunk myths and show you how to distinguish primary from secondary causes. Plus, we'll equip you with valuable exam strategies, like spotting causation prompts and crafting compelling responses. Don't miss our upcoming special episode where we'll prep you for the big exam. Tune in for review, prep, and pep! So, grab your seat, it's time for some AP History Help! And remember, if you need sample responses or further assistance, reach out to us through Instagram, TikTok, or our website. Let's conquer history together! 🎓 #APHistory #Causation #ExamPrep Show Links/Notes: Website: Amazon link to AP Student Success Journal: AP History Help on YouTube Apollo 13 story:
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Change & Continuity Episode 18 AP History Help
03/25/2024
Change & Continuity Episode 18 AP History Help
Discover the key to mastering historical analysis with our podcast series focusing on the critical reasoning processes. In this episode, delve into the concepts of change and continuity, essential for acing exams and understanding historical trends. Learn how to identify patterns over time, grasp the significance of developments, and apply these insights to AP History exams through engaging examples and expert insights. Whether it's comparing historical periods or assessing the impact of events, gain the skills to excel in your studies and beyond. Join us as we unravel the complexities of history in a concise and informative format. Show Links/Notes: Website: Amazon link to AP Student Success Journal: AP History Help on YouTube Theodora by Frankie Raye:
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How the LEQ Differs from the DBQ on the AP History Exam Episode 17 AP History Help
03/11/2024
How the LEQ Differs from the DBQ on the AP History Exam Episode 17 AP History Help
In the latest episode of our AP History Help podcast, we transition from discussing the DBQ Essay to the LEQ (Long Essay Question), covering the key points for earning maximum points. Although the LEQ is shorter due to the absence of documents, its rubric shares similarities with the DBQ. Contextualization and thesis statements mirror those in the DBQ, while evidence points require brainstorming relevant information from memory. Analysis and Complexity points focus on historical reasoning and nuanced arguments, with a shift towards using four pieces of evidence to demonstrate complexity. Notably absent in the LEQ rubric is evidence beyond documents, as all evidence is inherently beyond documents. Through exemplars and expert commentary, we illustrate how to structure an effective LEQ response, ensuring students grasp the expectations for each point. With clear guidance, students should find earning all points on the LEQ achievable, and for those needing further clarification, we're here to help.
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Simplifying Complexity Episode 16
02/26/2024
Simplifying Complexity Episode 16
Are you striving for the elusive "golden unicorn point" on your DBQ essays? Look no further! In this podcast episode, we delve into the intricacies of achieving complexity, breaking down the process into manageable steps for success. First, we address the historical context of the golden unicorn point and its evolution into a more attainable goal. With recent changes in the scoring criteria, complexity is now within reach for diligent students. To begin, we emphasize the importance of historical thinking skills and reasoning processes. These skills, such as sourcing, contextualization, and argumentation, form the backbone of a successful DBQ essay. Moving on to the nitty-gritty of complexity, we explore various strategies outlined in the College Board rubric. Whether it's analyzing multiple perspectives, discussing cause and effect, or making insightful connections, there are numerous avenues to demonstrate complexity. Moreover, we simplify the complexity criteria introduced since August 2023, making it more accessible to students. By effectively utilizing documents, analyzing their sources, and incorporating additional evidence, complexity becomes achievable for all. In conclusion, while aiming for complexity can enhance your essay, it's essential not to overlook other scoring criteria. By diversifying your approach and distributing efforts wisely, you can maximize your chances of success without putting all your eggs in one basket. Tune in to learn how to master complexity and elevate your DBQ essays to the next level! And don't forget to check out our previous episode on sourcing and analysis for further insights. Show Links/Notes: Website: Amazon link to AP Student Success Journal: AP History Help on YouTube Unlocking Complexity: Strategies for Mastering the DBQ Essay
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HAPPy Histories: Navigating AP History Analysis on the DBQ
02/12/2024
HAPPy Histories: Navigating AP History Analysis on the DBQ
In this episode, Wendy delves into the intricacies of earning the analysis point on the DBQ Essay. Through her signature blend of academic insight and relatable examples, she demystifies the process, guiding listeners through the key components of historical analysis and sourcing. With the help of the HAPPy acronym—exploring Historical Situation, Audience, Point of View, and Purpose—Wendy equips students with the tools they need to excel on exam day. But "HAPPy Histories" goes beyond theory, providing practical examples and tips to reinforce learning. Wendy shares real AP exam-ples and offers valuable strategies for maximizing points, ensuring listeners are well-prepared for success. So whether you're a seasoned AP History student or just embarking on your journey, join Wendy on "HAPPy Histories" as she transforms history lessons into moments of discovery and triumph. Don't miss out—listen now and embark on your path to AP History excellence! Show Links/Notes: Website: Amazon link to AP Student Success Journal: AP History Help on YouTube Historical situation is looking at what is going on in the time period that the document was created. And how was the document influenced by the time period. Audience can be audience or intended audience. For whom is this document written? And how does the audience influence the message in the document. Point of view is not opinion. Look at any biases. But we ask, why is this author putting forth this message at this time. In other words, why does the document or author say what it does the way it does. Purpose asks what the author is trying to achieve. What impact is the author or creator trying to have on the intended audience? In this episode I will hold your hand through HAPPy-land. Eww. That sounds creepy doesn’t it? Let’s make it sound a little more academic. In this episode, I will help you understand how to get the analysis point on the DBQ Essay. This doesn’t apply to the LEQ because the rubric is just different (and you’re not using documents). But the sourcing point, also called analysis, is easy if you just understand what it is and how to get it. But before we get too far along, if you haven’t done so already, make sure that you listen to my last episode, where I explained the difference between summarizing the documents and using them to support your thesis. There were lots of examples for each of the AP History courses. I managed to work in the Constitution a couple times and even shared which amendment is my favorite. You could go back and listen to it to find out because… they’re all on demand for your listening and/or watching pleasure. Last week, I wondered out loud if you were sick of documents and then proceeded to spend our time together in class talking about summarizing them and using them as support. So hopefully you’ve come back for more. Because we are going to build on that summary and support piece with some analysis. Like I was saying before, earning this point is easy. All it takes is an acronym and some practice to be happy when it comes to sourcing. We’re first going to explore what those words, analysis and sourcing, mean wholistically and in the context of the AP exam. Then we’re going to explore that happy acronym and put it into practice. Then just like the last few episodes, we’ll close out with some real AP exam-ples. Ha-ha – see what I did there. Exam pulls! Like they are actually from past AP exams. Huh? Oh. Sorry. Did I tell you that I was going to start including some bad teacher jokes in class? Laughter is so good for remembering what you’re learning. I won’t get into the brain science behind it, but we remember things better when we are in a happy mood. Analysis. What does it mean to analyze something? It is the process of breaking something into smaller parts in order to gain a better understanding of it. We start to do that when we look at the parts of a document. Who wrote it. When. To whom? What were the circumstances. Where was it written from and about? But historical analysis adds a new piece to this. Historical analysis is examining evidence from the past to create a deeper understanding of and picture of that time, place, event, etc. I want to repeat that for emphasis. A deeper understanding. Grabbing author, time, place is like swimming over the surface of the water. You really don’t know what lies beneath. But when you dive down deeper. You gain a better understanding of this body of water. Is it cooler? Darker? What kind of fish are there? Is it clear? Murky? Same with historical events. You gain a deeper understanding of the topic by diving into these pieces of evidence, better known as documents. And what about Sourcing. What does it mean to source something? It is the act of understanding who the author is, their purpose, who they wrote it for, all for the purpose of analysis or interpretation. You are putting yourself, as best you can, into the shoes of that author and looking around at your situation, the place you’re in, what’s happening around you all to analyze, gain that deeper understanding of the topic. And so to try and clear up any confusion, teachers can, will, and do use those two terms interchangeably as it pertains to this point on the DBQ Essay. So, don’t worry about it. Call it what you want to call it. The College Board groups it with the complexity point and calls them both “Analysis and Reasoning.” It is much more important that you know what to do rather than you know what to call it. The scoring criteria for this point states, “For at least two documents, explains how or why the document’s point of view, purpose, historical situation, and/or audience is relevant to an argument.” And they go on to provide what they call their decision rules. Those state, “To earn this point, the response must explain how or why (rather than simply identifying) the document’s point of view, purpose, historical situation, or audience is relevant to an argument about the prompt for each of the two documents sourced.” And this is where HAPPy comes in. The letters H-A-P-P stand for historical situation, Audience, Point of view, and Purpose. And we add the why because that is where we answer the question why. Or to use the words of College Board, the response must explain how or why it’s relevant to your argument.” You guys. This is super easy. To get this point you only need to do this twice in your essay! Not all four things either! You could do one point of view and one historical situation. You could do two audiences. It doesn’t matter the combination, but for two different documents, you pick one way to analyze it… one letter from H-A-P-P. And we’ll get to how, momentarily. Now, you can’t analyze one document in two different ways. It does specifically say, “for each of the two documents sourced.” This is where I tell you that if they ask for two, it’s a really good idea to do it three times. Yes, you are smart, but on the day of the exam, sometimes your brain gets a little mushy and wires get crossed. Analyze three documents for insurance… just in case. Oh, what’s that? You want a PERFECT score? You’re going for that last complexity point? One way to do it is to analyze four documents. Or again, for insurance, analyze five. So, when you are reading the documents, look for how you might analyze every single one and then pick the two that you feel least comfortable about and don’t analyze them. Yep. I want you to analyze five out of the seven documents for maximum points! I know how hard it is to keep track of all the things you need to know in an AP History class. So I spent a good chunk time trying to organize things in a way that you can reflect daily and see the big picture. I call it the AP History Student Success journal and it is available on Amazon. It is set up to be a user friendly, weekly companion on your journey to acing the AP exam. I want you to be able to focus on the important content each day – each week, the thinking skills that we cover in our class and in your AP classroom, and most importantly, you should always take time to reflect on the overall process of what you’re learning which skills you’re developing. I’ve put a bunch of other little tips and tricks in there to help answer a lot of questions that I think you might have. I will put the link to purchase the Student Success Planner in the show notes, but you can also access it through the APHistoryHelp.com website or head on over to Amazon and search on success planner for history students ap and it will be at the top of the search results! And podcast listeners heard it first… the price is going up soon. The price is low right now to get them out there plus it is toward the end of the school year. But the value is much more than that 14.97 price tag. I want you to have a chance to grab one before the price goes up. So run, don’t walk to that Amazon add to cart button. And if you’re listening to this after I raised the price, get in contact with me and I’ll tell you how to get it for the original price. I heard you asking before that little break, “How do I know what each letter of HAPP even is. Yes, students, I am going to talk about each one. Get out your paper and pen and get ready to take notes. Unless of course you’re driving or somewhere else that you can’t take notes. Ok, yes, I’ll put it in the show notes. Historical situation is looking at what is going on in the time period that the document was created. And how was the document influenced by the time period. Is it responding to issues in this period? Think about Francis Scott Key writing the Star Spangled Banner as bombs were flying over head during the War of 1812. If he hadn’t been there at that moment in time… just imagine. He wrote, “And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave.” Those words are so much more powerful knowing he was witnessing this battle and unsure if America was winning or not until he saw in the red glare of the rockets and bombs, the American flag still waving away. Next is audience. For this sometimes you know who it is written for and sometimes you have to say things like, “this was likely meant for this guy or this group.” It’s ok. It can be audience or intended audience. For whom is this document written? And how does the audience influence the message in the document. You’re going to write a letter to a teacher different from a friend. Think of the Declaration of Independence. Who were Jefferson, Franklin, Sherman, et al writing this to? Many people will say the King of England. That’s not wrong but my APUSH students know that it was a breakup letter to the King, an announcement to the world that America was declaring itself independent from England, and it was written to the colonists, to rally the troops. Either way, it might have been written differently if it were only intended for the King or only for the colonists. The words were chosen to appeal to all three groups. Point of view is not opinion. Repeat after me, students. Point of view is not opinion. Point of view is not opinion. Good. Point of view does look at any biases. But we ask, why is this author putting forth this message at this time. In other words, why does the document or author say what it does the way it does. Let’s say you’re listening to a podcast about how to succeed in your AP History class and the host is a college educated teacher with decades of experience teaching AP history and has graded more AP history essays than there are stars in the sky (yes, that’s hyperbole). In addition, she has a master’s degree, a website called AP History Help, has written a book and has hundreds, maybe thousands of hours of experience tutoring AP students. Last, she keeps giving you information for free just so you can learn more and succeed in your AP history class. This podcast is one that should have excellent reliable information in it. There is no hidden agenda except trying to be as informative as possible in about 20 minutes. On the other hand, there is a podcast hosted by a college student who is majoring in marketing. He passed APUSH with a 3 about 5 years ago. He makes some crazy claims about how if you buy his video series and review cram packet for $99, you will pass the exam. As a matter of fact, it seems like he talks more about what you will find in his videos than how to succeed on the exam. Which one is a better source of information on AP History? Which one will support an argument better? Well, I do suppose it depends on what the argument is. And last we have purpose. Purpose asks what the author is trying to achieve. What impact is the author or creator trying to have on the intended audience? The purpose of the Magna Carta was to limit the power of crazy King John. The purpose of King Henry’s Act of Supremacy was to name himself head of the Church of England and sever the country’s ties to the church in Rome. Before we continue with examples, it’s time for Wendy Teaches History! Sit back students, it’s time for a story. This episode is released on February 12th. I’m torn between Abraham Lincoln, since it’s his birthday and Saint Valentine. Here’s why I’m choosing the latter. I feel like I’ve been favoring a lot of APUSH content. Plus, I’m a sucker for a good love story. So back in the days of the Roman Empire, after Christianity began but around when it barely could be legally practiced, the emperor Aurelius forbade the bishop, Valentine from continuing to perform marriage ceremonies for Christian soldiers because he needed them to fight in wars and if they were married, they would be reluctant to leave their new brides. But Valentine defied the emperor’s decree and was thrown in prison. While there, he performed a miracle. He cured the jailer’s daughter of blindness and allegedly the two fell in love. This was not looked at favorably and the Bishop, Valentine was executed on February 14 of the following year. On the eve of his death, he sent a passionate letter to his beloved, signed simply, “your Valentine.” There is another version of his story. But I like this one. Alright, back to business. Remember that you have to connect the WHY of each analysis point. Tie it back to how your document supports your argument. Yep, that was last episode. Episode 14. Say the words this means, this is important because. This shows. This supports. This provides value or this detracts from. Got it? AND! I want you to realize that there can be overlap between these four areas. Going back to the Star Spangled Banner, Francis Scott Key was at the battle, experiencing fear and not knowing who was winning. I used that as historical situation. But you could also talk about his point of view, full of fear, not knowing who was winning the battle. Don’t be afraid of that. If you say one or the other or both, you’ve met the requirement for 1 of the 2 examples of analysis. Another example is the Declaration of independence. I told you about the audience, but you could easily overlap with purpose. Why was it written to the King, the world, the colonists? And how did that influence what was said? And last, I promised some examples. I’ll give one example from each course, starting with AP Euro. This is from the 2019 exam and the prompt is, “Evaluate whether or not the Catholic Church in the 1600s was opposed to new ideas in science.” One of the documents is written by Galileo where he claims that contradictions between the Bible and heliocentrism are attributable to the abstruse language of the Bible. For point of view you could say that he is acting in his own self interest as an astronomer who believes in the heliocentric model and is persecuted as a result. Or for audience, or purpose, you could say that Galileo seeks the support of political authorities as sponsors of science and to counterbalance the Church. Next up, APUSH. The 2019 DBQ prompt was, “Evaluate the extent to which the Progressive movement fostered political change in the United States from 1890 to 1920.” One of the documents is from Twenty Years at Hull-House, written by Jane Addams. The historical situation is that immigration and industrialization in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries led to rapid population growth in cities such as Chicago and an expansion in demand on political leaders for municipal services. Or for point of view you could say, progressive reformers like Addams sought to exercise social control by cleaning up urban political machines and uplifting immigrants by Americanizing them. And last for AP World, the prompt from 2021 asks you to evaluate the extent to which European imperialism affected economies in Africa and/or Asia in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. So one of the documents was a graph and these are probably the more challenging to analyze. So I wanted to give you two possibilities. First is purpose. As Great Britain was becoming an increasingly industrialized country during this period, the purpose of the EIC providing this data to Parliament may have been in part to show that it was playing its part in providing markets for British industrial goods, the most important one of which was cotton textiles. Notice the qualifier like may have been. And next, the historical situation: Because of the system of Company Rule in India, the EIC, rather than the British government, had effective control of large parts of the Indian subcontinent. That explains why it was the EIC’s responsibility to collect such trade information and report it to the British Parliament. Want more? Want to see the whole DBQ? The prompt? The documents? The sample essays with commentary. Guess what!? I have them. Send me a DM on whichever platform you follow me on. Or contact me through my website. You could even call or text me – the number is on the website, APHistoryHelp.com. I’ll be happy to send a sample. Or better yet, let’s get on Google Meet and look at one together. Next episode, we are going to jump into complexity. The college board sure made my life easier in August when they changed up how you can earn this point. I will go over the easy ways, as well as the not so easy ways. If you are striving for that 7 on your DBQ and that 5 on your AP exam, you are not going to want to miss Episode 16. It is being released on February 26. Hmm. What history will I teach in that one?? Anyway, hit that follow or subscribe button wherever you are listening or watching so you’ll be notified whenever it and any new episode is released. Don’t forget about that AP Student Success Journal only available at this low price for a short time. I’ll link to it in the show notes or just search for Student Success Journal AP on Amazon. And I would be so grateful if you would tell your friends who are taking or thinking about taking AP History classes about the podcast. I’m here to help as many students as possible to be successful in the course and on the exam. That will do it for this episode. Don’t forget to come to Wendy for AP History Help. And this episode of the AP History Help podcast is now history.
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Mastering DBQ Essays: Documents Summary vs. Support
01/29/2024
Mastering DBQ Essays: Documents Summary vs. Support
In this episode, we focus on a crucial aspect of the AP History exam - understanding and utilizing documents in the DBQ Essay. This specific skill constitutes a significant portion, approximately seven percent, of the exam. Mastering the difference between one and two evidence points can significantly enhance your DBQ essay writing. Ensure you've listened to the previous episode about crafting a perfect thesis, a fundamental skill for scoring points on FRQs. The discussion begins with strategies on reading documents for the DBQ, emphasizing the importance of correctly interpreting the prompt to avoid supporting the wrong argument. Summarizing three documents accurately guarantees a point, providing a safety net in case of misinterpretation. The episode stresses the ease of summarization, a skill students have honed since elementary school. A highlight is the announcement of the Student Success journal, designed to aid students in acing the AP exam. The planner, introduced through TikTok, is user-friendly and focuses on crucial content, thinking skills, and reflective learning. The second half delves into the evidence points, emphasizing the necessity of supporting arguments with content from at least four documents. The discussion navigates through transitioning from summary to support and introduces the concept of counter-claims for added complexity points. An interlude features a fun fact about the 14th Amendment, offering historical insights and linking it to contemporary events. The podcast advocates against quoting documents in essays, suggesting that interpretable paraphrasing is more effective. The episode concludes with document evidence examples from AP Euro, AP US History, and AP World, showcasing effective summaries and supports. Wendy invites listeners to reach out for more detailed sample essays, promising assistance through various platforms. The next episode teaser promises a deep dive into obtaining analysis or sourcing points in the DBQ, with a hint of breaking down the acronym HAPPY. Wendy encourages engagement through social media, emphasizing her commitment to helping students succeed in AP History. Don't miss the opportunity to enhance your AP History skills with Wendy's insightful guidance. Subscribe to the AP History Help podcast for regular updates and valuable exam tips. Show Links/Notes: Website: Blog: Amazon link to AP Student Success Journal: AP History Help on YouTube Constitution Class: AP History Exam: This term is relevant to students preparing for the Advanced Placement (AP) history exam. It signifies content that aids in exam preparation and strategy. DBQ Essay: The Document-Based Question (DBQ) essay is a specific type of essay in the AP history exam. This term targets students seeking guidance on mastering DBQs. FRQs: The Free-Response Questions (FRQs) are another component of the AP history exam. Mentioning this term appeals to students looking for tips on scoring well on FRQs. Thesis Writing: Thesis writing is a fundamental skill discussed in the podcast. Students searching for insights on crafting effective theses may use this term. Student Success Journal: This term is related to the planner introduced in the podcast. Potential buyers interested in a planner to aid AP exam success may use this term. Counter-claim: This term is used in the context of adding complexity points in the DBQ essay. Students aiming for a nuanced approach in their essays may search for this term. 14th Amendment: The discussion about the 14th Amendment adds historical context to the podcast. History enthusiasts or students studying this amendment may use this term. Document Evidence Examples: Students seeking practical examples for document-based evidence in the AP history exam may use this term. Analysis or Sourcing Points: This term is a teaser for the next episode, targeting students looking to understand how to score analysis or sourcing points in the DBQ essay.
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Making a Statement in Your Thesis
01/15/2024
Making a Statement in Your Thesis
In this episode, the focus is on understanding the essence of writing a thesis in AP History courses. Wendy covers what a thesis is, its significance for the AP History exams, and provides insights into how to earn it. A secret formula for crafting a thesis statement, specifically tailored for writing DBQ and LEQ essays, is revealed. Emphasizing the importance of a well-crafted thesis in any written work, the episode explains the nuances of meeting the College Board's expectations for earning points on the AP history exam. The host introduces a formula and stresses the alignment between the thesis statement and the subsequent body paragraphs. Practical examples and advice are given, including the recommendation to read exemplars for a better understanding of successful thesis statements. The episode concludes with prompts from different AP History courses, offering attempts at theses that didn't earn points and exemplars that did, providing valuable insights for students preparing for their exams. Show Links/Notes: Website: Blog: Amazon link to AP Student Success Journal: Prompts: AP Euro: “Evaluate the most significant effect of the Enlightenment on European society during the period 1688-1815.” APUSH: Evaluate the extent to which debates over slavery in the period from 1830 to 1860 led the United States into the Civil War. AP World: In the period circa 1450–1750, European expansion affected the development of numerous East Asian and South Asian states. Develop an argument that evaluates the extent to which the economies of East and/or South Asian states in this time period changed in response to European expansion. Outschool Tutoring: Take Lessons Tutoring: AP History Help on YouTube
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Contextualization is the Answer to World Peace Episode 12
01/01/2024
Contextualization is the Answer to World Peace Episode 12
This podcast explores the crucial role of contextualization in AP History exams, emphasizing its significance not only for scoring points but also for a deeper understanding of history. The host discusses how context is vital in comprehending historical events and draws parallels to using context clues in language. The episode delves into the interconnectedness of historical events and the necessity of providing broader historical contexts in essays. The College Board's perspective on contextualization in AP exams is highlighted, emphasizing its pervasive role in learning history. The host shares examples of acceptable contextualization statements from APUSH, AP Euro, and AP World, offering insights into crafting effective responses. The episode concludes with a unique analogy relating contextualization to achieving world peace, encouraging listeners to analyze historical examples for potential solutions to global challenges. For those seeking further guidance, the host offers tutoring services and encourages exploring exemplars for inspiration and learning. Show Links/Notes: Outschool Tutoring: Take Lessons Tutoring: AP History Help on YouTube
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How to Write the LEQ (Long Essay Question) on the AP History Exam
12/18/2023
How to Write the LEQ (Long Essay Question) on the AP History Exam
The Long Essay Question, or LEQ is the last question on the AP exam and the hardest part of the test. This episode will help you navigate this question, from understanding the rubric, knowing what your choices will be, and a few other tips and strategies to finish the exam strong. Plus, a timely segment of Wendy Teaches History this week!
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Understanding the DBQ is Key to Writing a 7-point Essay
12/04/2023
Understanding the DBQ is Key to Writing a 7-point Essay
The Document Based Question Essay can be intimidating. Not anymore! Listen to this episode to hear a detailed breakdown of how to get each of the points of the rubric. You will also hear about strategies, tips, and tricks to write a killer DBQ essay and ace the AP History exam! There is so much good information that it didn’t all fit. As a result look for a future episode as a follow up where I give you even more great advice on writing the DBQ Essay! Show Links/Notes: DBQ Class on Outschool: Outschool Teacher Profile: AP History Help Website: YouTube Channel: Thesis Statement: Western European imperialism resulted in the exploitation of labor and resources on non-industrialized nations in African and Asia. This benefitted the Europeans, either by exploiting the labor of indigenous peoples to gather resources, or to expand the markets to yield the most profit, and causing economic decline in Africa and Asia.
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Short Answer Questions Have Long Answers
11/21/2023
Short Answer Questions Have Long Answers
Each written response to the SAQ, or Short Answer Questions is about 3-5 sentences, and you are going to end up responding to 9 prompts in total, so you’re going to have to write 27-45 sentences. So yeah, not that short after all. Stay with me today as I talk about what to expect from the SAQ, why you shouldn’t be overwhelmed by 27-45 sentences, a great formula to use for every single question, and where to find sample responses that will show you how others have done it right. Show Links/Notes: AP World: Short-answer question 3 will focus on historical developments or processes between the years 1200 and 1750. Short-answer question 4 will focus on historical developments or processes between the years 1750 and 2001. AP Euro: Short-answer question 3 focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1450 and 1815. Question 4 focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1815 and 2001. APUSH: Short-answer question 3 focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1491 and 1877. Short-answer question 4 focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1865 and 2001.
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Acing the Multiple Choice Questions on the AP History Exam
11/06/2023
Acing the Multiple Choice Questions on the AP History Exam
The multiple-choice portion of the AP World, US, and European exams is worth 40% of your overall exam grade. Here are tips on what to expect from the questions and tried and true strategies for answering them successfully, bringing you one step closer to acing the exam.
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All Those Acronyms in AP History! What Do They Mean?
10/23/2023
All Those Acronyms in AP History! What Do They Mean?
AP History classes have no shortage of acronyms for the different types of test questions, the rubrics, the themes, and more. This episode explores some of the more popular and frequently learned terms that you may hear or read so you can be up to speed on the lingo. Grab paper and a pencil and take notes on this one! YouTube Channel:
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AP History: In it For the Class or the Exam?
10/09/2023
AP History: In it For the Class or the Exam?
Why did you take an AP History class? For the college credit? The boost in your GPA? Tune in as Wendy helps you discover the why behind your what and how to use your motivation to help you excel in your AP History class.
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Review of AP History Review Videos
09/25/2023
Review of AP History Review Videos
Everyone has a AP History video series! Ok, maybe not everyone, but in this episode, Wendy reviews the major and more popular options, to help you figure out which is best, including the right time to watch which ones. Show Links/Notes: List of Content Creators: Advanced Placement/AP Classroom Crash Course Heimler's History Marco Learning Anti-Social Studies with Emily Glankler Tom Richey Paul Sargent AP Euro Bit by Bit
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Reviewing AP History Review Books
09/11/2023
Reviewing AP History Review Books
In this episode, parents and students alike can benefit from a review of five well-known AP History review books. Looking at the content and skills covered, but also many other factors, like availability and quantity of practice test, online features, cost, size, and more. Not sure which one is worth the investment? Hear what’s good and not so good about each book. And be sure to listen to the “Wendy Teaches History” segment for a compelling personal story.
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Taking Notes in an AP History Class
08/28/2023
Taking Notes in an AP History Class
This week Wendy talks about taking notes in an AP History course or any high school or college level course. This episode is good for the AP student or any student who struggles with notetaking from high school through college level. Show notes: Find images of each notetaking type .
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How To Prepare for an AP History Class
08/14/2023
How To Prepare for an AP History Class
This week, Wendy talks about how to be best prepared to take an AP History course. How can you walk into that classroom set up for success? How can you continue throughout the year, and ultimately be ready to ace the exam in May? The best way to prepare for an AP class is by preparing in advance…setting yourself up with these tips for success. Show Notes: Show Links/Notes: Acronyms: AP EUROPEAN HISTORY Interaction of Europe & the World National & European Identity Social & Organizational Development Power, States & Other Institutes of Economic & Commercial Development Cultural & Intellectual Developments Technological & Scientific Innovation AP US HISTORY Belief Systems (culture) America in the World (global context) Geography & Environment (physical & human) Peopling (movement & migration) Identity (gender, class, racial, ethnic) Politics & power (government, rights, citizenship) Economy (work, trade, technology) AP WORLD HISTORY INteraction of Humans & the Environment Social Developments & Structures Political (government, revolutions) Economic- (labor, trade, industry, agriculture) Cultural Development (Religion, Beliefs, Art) Technological (Innovation, Science)
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Why Take AP History
07/31/2023
Why Take AP History
Hear about the benefits of taking an AP course, earning college credit, challenges of the textbooks, support options like online versions or tutoring, and benefits of improving critical thinking and academic writing skills. Also, learn about managing the workload effectively and adopting study techniques. In addition, you'll hear about the pass rate statistics and managing expectations, and more.
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AP® History Help Trailer
07/07/2023
AP® History Help Trailer
An introduction to what to expect from the AP® History Help podcast, including who the host is and what qualifies her to lead this conversation. You'll also get a sampling of the upcoming episodes and how to send in questions or requests for future topics. (AP® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this podcast.)
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