Common Mistakes in AP US History

The video discusses common mistakes students make in AP US history exams, focusing on thesis specificity, contextualization, sourcing, quoting, and handwriting. It provides tips to improve these areas and emphasizes the importance of clear writing and relevant historical context.

What is the main focus of the video?

• Interviewing students about their experiences

• Discussing the beauty of Louisville

• Explaining common mistakes in AP US History DBQs

• Providing a tour of the AP US History reading site

What is a common mistake students make with their thesis statements?

• Focusing only on economic changes

• Being too broad and not specific enough

• Using too many examples

• Being too specific

What is essential for a thesis to be considered historically defensible?

• It must be written in cursive

• It should cover all historical periods

• It must be an argument with specific details

• It must include a quote

What is a common error in contextualization?

• Ignoring the Progressive Era

• Focusing too much on the thesis

• Using vocabulary from the wrong time period

• Using too many documents

Why is it important to relate contextualization to the prompt?

• To make the essay longer

• To ensure the context is relevant to the argument

• To avoid using too many sources

• To impress the reader

What does the interviewed educator suggest about sourcing documents?

• Always use direct quotes

• Contextualize the historical situation of the documents

• Ignore the intended audience

• Focus only on the purpose of the document

What is a common mistake students make when quoting documents?

• Ignoring the document's content

• Quoting too little

• Using quotes as their analysis

• Paraphrasing too much

What is the suggested alternative to quoting documents?

• Use more quotes

• Write a longer essay

• Summarize the document in your own words

• Ignore the document

Why is handwriting important in DBQ responses?

• It allows for more words per page

• It is required by the rubric

• It helps the reader understand the content

• It makes the essay look neat

What is the final tip given in the video?

• Use more documents

• Focus on the introduction

• Write clearly and legibly

• Include more quotes