How to Write a SHORT ANSWER QUESTION (SAQ) for AP World, APUSH, & AP Euro

Summary

In this educational video, the host guides students on crafting effective responses to short answer questions (SAQs) for history exams. The video introduces a three-step method: Topic Sentence, Evidence, and Analysis (TEA), to structure answers clearly. Examples from AP World and AP US History exams illustrate how to apply this method, emphasizing the importance of connecting evidence to the topic sentence for a coherent response. The host also promotes additional resources, including a Discord server and an APSA cram course, for further exam preparation.

Takeaways

• 📚 This video is designed to help students prepare for exams by improving their skills in answering short answer questions.
• 🤔 The presenter notes that students often struggle with short answer questions despite them being potentially easy, suggesting a lack of understanding of the process.
• 📝 A three-step process is introduced to tackle short answer questions: Topic Sentence, Evidence, and Analysis (TEA).
• 🔗 Two resources are recommended for further help: a Discord server and an APSA cram course, both with links provided in the video description.
• 📈 The TEA method is a common approach used in essay writing, emphasizing clarity and directness in responses.
• 📖 The first step, Topic Sentence, requires a clear and direct answer to the prompt.
• 🔍 The second step, Evidence, involves providing specific examples that support the topic sentence.
• 🧠 The third step, Analysis, connects the evidence to the topic sentence, demonstrating how the evidence supports the claim made.
• 💡 It's emphasized that the connection between evidence and claim must be explicit, as the grader can only score what is written, not what is implied.
• 🌐 Examples are provided from both AP World and AP US history exams to illustrate how to apply the TEA method.
• ✅ The video concludes with a reminder that while the TEA method is effective, it's not the only approach, and students should adapt it to their needs.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The main focus of the video is to teach students how to write effective responses to short answer questions (SAQs) for history exams.

Why are short answer questions often confusing for students according to the video?

Students often find short answer questions confusing because they don't understand the process for answering them effectively.

What is the three-step process introduced in the video for answering short answer questions?

The three-step process introduced in the video is: Topic Sentence, Evidence, and Analysis (TEA).

What is the purpose of the topic sentence in the TEA method?

The topic sentence is meant to answer the prompt in a clear and declarative sentence.

What role does evidence play in the TEA method?

Evidence is used to provide a specific example that supports the topic sentence.

How does analysis connect the topic sentence and evidence in the TEA method?

Analysis demonstrates how the evidence proves the topic sentence, making the connection explicit for the grader.

What are the two types of short answer questions mentioned in the video?

The two types of short answer questions are those with a stimulus (like a passage or visual) and those without a stimulus, which only have prompts.

What is the importance of reading the explanations provided with a stimulus-based SAQ?

Reading the explanations provided with a stimulus-based SAQ can save time and aid in interpretation of the material.

Can you provide an example of how to apply the TEA method using a stimulus from the 2018 AP World exam?

The example given is about the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II granting the British East India Company the right to collect tax revenue. The topic sentence states how Asian economies were weakened, the evidence mentions the British East India Company and European mercantilist states, and the analysis connects how these entities gained control over Asian markets.

How does the video suggest comparing historical differences in internal migration patterns for the AP US History exam?

The video suggests using the TEA method to compare internal migration patterns, providing a topic sentence that highlights the direction of movement as a major difference, evidence of specific migration events, and analysis that explains the reasons behind these migrations.

What additional resources does the video recommend for students preparing for history exams?

The video recommends the creator's Discord server for community support and the APSA cram course for in-depth video tutorials on exam writing.