The highest possible score is a 6, and 40 minutes is allotted to write. You will have a choice between 3 prompts, and the time period will be pulled from one of three time periods. Possibilities are: 1200-1750, 1450-1900, 1750-2001.

1. Read the prompt CAREFULLY. Mark it up, look for comparison, cause and effect, or continuity. Define the time period.

2. Thesis must be argumentative. Don’t just restate the prompt, and be as specific as possible.

   Sample outline: “Depite [counterargument], because [evidence 1] and [evidence 2], [my argument.]” Where it says evidence, make sure to actually state what the evidence is.

3. Contextualization must allow for broader understanding. Write 3-4 sentences before the thesis, only going back 100-150 years. Make sure to use specific historical evidence and explain or make it very obvious how it is relevant to the topic.

4. Evidence. Evidence points are earned for describing and arguing with evidence. The bare minimum is 2 pieces of evidence. To describe evidence that is relevant to the prompt, you just need to name it and define it. To be successful, first write a topic sentence based on the first piece of evidence. Then, name and describe the evidence. Next, argue with the evidence by connecting it back to the thesis.

5. Analysis and Reasoning. The first point is awarded for writing any essay that corresponds to the historical thinking skill of the prompt (causation, comparison, continuity). The simplest way to get the reasoning point is to set up a counterargument weaved throughout, with evidence present in each paragraph.