This guide to effective writing strategies is based on three ideas that provide motivation for writing skills development in an advanced placement history class: students learn to write by writing; problem essays are more effective in developing writing skills than topic essays; and writing is a learning tool. Stressing that writing practice is essential for a successful score on the national examination in advanced placement European history, strategies are given on how to sturcture essays that emphasize comparing and contrasting and also how to develop thesis analysis questions; how to design prewriting experiences, including role playing, lectures, and use of facsimiles and index cards; how to grade essays featuring a debriefing approach and essay analysis sheets for student grading procedures; and how to employ organizational methods for document based questions. A list of several competitive and tutorial programs for practice work is included. (TRS)