AP United States History - Question 1 - Document-Based Question (2017) - Sample Student Responses and Scoring Commentary

Sep 22, 2026

Uploaded by Violet

AP United States History 2017 Sample Student Responses and Scoring Commentary presents scoring guidance for a Question 1 Document-Based Question on evaluating how ideas about American independence changed from 1763 to 1783. Rubrics detail requirements for a historically defensible thesis and cohesive argument supported by documents, including evidence relationships such as contradiction, corroboration, and qualification. It also specifies expectations for document analysis through sourcing, contextualization with relevant historical developments, using evidence beyond the documents, and synthesis connecting the argument to other periods, places, or themes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time1 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Question 1—Document-Based Question

Thesis and Argument Development (A)

Document Analysis (B)

Using Evidence Beyond the Documents (C)

Synthesis (D)

Document Summaries

2017 AP United States History Sample Student Responsesand Scoring Commentary Inside: R Document-Based Question R Scoring Guideline R Student Samples R Scoring Commentary © 2017 The College Board. College Board, Advanced Placement Program, AP, AP Central, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of the College Board. Visit [the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org](the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org). [AP Central is the official online home for the AP Program: apcentral.collegeboard.org](AP Central is the official online home for the AP Program: apcentral.collegeboard.org) Question 1—Document-Based Question Evaluate the extent of change in ideas about American independence from 1763 to 1783. Maximum Possible Points: 7 | Points | Rubric | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | | A: Thesis and Argument Development (0–2) | Thesis: Presents a thesis that makes a historically defensible claim and responds to all parts of the question. The thesis must consist of one or more sentences located in one place, either in the introduction or the conclusion.(1 point)
Neither the introduction nor the conclusion is necessarily limited to a single paragraph. | Acceptable thesis statements must explicitly make a historically defensible , evaluative claim regarding the extent of change in ideas about American independence from 1763 to 1783. Acceptable examples:
• From 1763 to 1783 colonial ideas about American independence changed from just questioning British policies to calling for revolution.
• From 1763 to 1783 colonial ideas about American independence did not change much because, throughout the period, many colonists continued to oppose the Patriot cause. | | | Argument Development: Developsand supports a cohesive argument that recognizes and accounts for historical complexity by explicitly illustrating relationships among historical evidence such as contradiction, corroboration, and/or qualification. (1 point) | To earn this point responses must explain the relationship of historical evidence to a complex and cohesive argument and do so throughout the essay.
Ways that evidence can be related to the argument include the following:
• Contradiction (e.g. , using evidence to address acounterargument to the main argument in the essay)
• Corroboration (e.g. , combining multiple pieces of evidence to support a single argument)
• Qualification (e.g. , using evidence to present an argument that is subsequently made more complex by noting exceptions) | | B: Document Analysis (0–2) | Document Analysis (Content):
Utilizes the content of at least six of the documents to support the stated thesis or a relevant argument. (1 point) | See document summaries for details.
• Doc 1: Teapot, 1766–1770
• Doc 2: Virginia Resolves, 1769
• Doc 3: Samuel Adams, Rights of Colonists as Men , 1772
• Doc 4: Quaker address to Pennsylvania Assembly, 1775
• Doc 5: Janet Schaw, Journal of a Lady of Quality, 1775
• Doc 6: Charles Inglis, The Costs of Revolution , 1776
• Doc 7: Thomas Paine, American Crisis , 1776 | | | Document Analysis (Sourcing):
Explains the significance of the author’s point of view, author’s purpose, historical context, and/or audience for at least four documents.(1 point) | | Question 1—Document-Based Question (continued) | C: Using Evidence Beyond the Documents (0–2) | Contextualization: Situates the argument by explaining the broader historical events, developments, or processes immediately relevant to the question. (1 point)
The contextualization point is not awarded for merely a phrase or reference, but instead requires an explanation, typically consisting of multiple sentences or a full paragraph. | This point can be earned by explaining historical events, developments, or processes that occurred before, during, or after the time frame of the question.
Common examples might include the following:
• Enlightenment ideas
• Discussion of fact

FAQs

What thesis and argument requirements must be met for scoring in category A?

A valid thesis must make a historically defensible evaluative claim about the extent of change from 1763 to 1783 and address all parts of the question. The argument must develop and support a cohesive explanation that recognizes historical complexity through evidence relationships such as contradiction, corroboration, and qualification.

How is document analysis scored in category B?

For content, responses must use at least six documents to support the thesis or a relevant argument. For sourcing, responses must explain the significance of author point of view, purpose, historical context, and/or audience for at least four documents.

What do category C and D require beyond the documents?

Category C requires contextualization by explaining broader events, developments, or processes relevant to the question, plus an additional example of specific evidence beyond the documents. Category D requires synthesis by explaining connections between the argument and either a different period or geographic area, a course theme/approach, or both.

Sep 22, 2026

Uploaded by Violet