[Social Studies Main] [APEH]

Preparing for your exam in

AP European History

May 10, 2002

About the Thematic Essays:

The thematic essay part of the free-response question requires you to answer two interpretive questions that measure both knowledge and analytical skills.  They are designed to test your understanding of the events and trends of the political-diplomatic, economic-social, and cultural-intellectual history of Europe from 1450 to contemporary times.  Like any essay question, they are open to subjective interpretation both in answering and in evaluating the answer.  It helps to be a good writer, to interpret the question correctly, to design an approach, to marshal relevant data, to present it all clearly.  The essays require a broader and deeper understanding of history than the multiple-choice section does, but they can be a showpiece for a good grasp of the subject. 

Certain trends, events, and personalities crop up often as subjects for the thematic essay.  The list that follows indicates the various topics that appear frequently:

• Renaissance

• Hapsburgs

• Reformation

• Enlightenment

• French Revolution and Napoleon

• Industrial Revolution

• Imperialism, Old and New

• Intellectual Developments

• Marx and Marxism

• Fascism:  Italy, Germany

• Russia:  Bolshevik Revolution

• England

• Diplomacy: 19th-20th centuries

• Post-WWII Period:  Cold War, Economic Development, Social Change

• Art interpretation

HINTS:

1. Read all choices before deciding on which two to do.

2. Your primary consideration should be how much you know about the specific subject.  This may seem obvious, but it is easy to pass over a question if you are confused about what it asks.  Read and reread those questions that encompass areas you have focused on in class or in your studies.

3. Interpret the KEY TERMS.

4. Make your choice by mentally framing the argument of your essay.  (The "argument" is the point of view, the proof, the statement, the thesis.)

5. Read the question again and jot down anything that comes to mind.

6. Organize your essay by outlining your arguments.  Don't fret over format; you are the only one to see or use the outline.

7. Gather facts to support your argument.  If you are not certain about a fact, don't use it.

8. Check for consistency.  What seems like supporting evidence may actually contradict your assertions.

9. Now, you are ready to write.  Make a clear statement of the intent of your argument in the introduction, a clear summary of your argument in the conclusion.

10. Reread!  Rewrite!  Delete.  Add.  "Substance takes precedence over neatness."  Don't be afraid to cross out words, sentences, whole paragraphs or pages.