Is ACE or TEA better for teaching the SAQ in AP World History? As a former English teacher turned history teacher, I have a strong opinion on the use of these two acronyms.
TL;DR: TEA is superior for the AP World SAQ
What are A-C-E and T-E-A?
ACE stands for Answer, Cite, Explain, and it is often used in English classrooms to give students a formula for structuring solid written answers to prompts and test questions.
TEA stands for Topic Sentence, Evidence, Analysis and is my preferred method for teaching written SAQ responses in AP World History.
The Problem with “Cite” in AP World SAQs
The “C” in A-C-E stands for Cite, which in most ELA classrooms means “pull a quote from the text.” That makes perfect sense when analyzing Shakespeare or a novel. But in AP World History—especially on no-stimulus SAQs—students are expected to use their own historical knowledge rather than quoting from a document or passage.
And even when there is a stimulus (like a visual or written source), quoting it directly is usually not the best approach. The College Board’s SAQ rubric doesn’t reward direct quotes—it rewards relevant historical information and clear explanation. Students who focus on finding the “right quote” often miss the bigger goal: using specific content to answer the historical prompt.
Using A-C-E in this context can unintentionally send the wrong message. Students hear “cite” and reach for a quote instead of thinking critically about what historical evidence best supports their claim.
T-E-A Aligns Better with Historical Thinking Skills
T-E-A stands for Topic Sentence, Evidence, Analysis which is a structure that mirrors the way historians actually build arguments.
- T = Topic Sentence
Students restate the prompt and directly answer the question, setting up a clear line of reasoning. - E = Evidence
They bring in a specific historical example or detail—not a vague reference or broad generalization, but a concrete piece of evidence from their own knowledge. - A = Analysis
Finally, they explain how the evidence supports their answer. This is where students show their historical thinking—drawing cause-and-effect connections, explaining significance, or comparing across time and space.
This method not only prepares students to write strong SAQs, it also scaffolds them toward the LEQ and DBQ, where they’ll need to support complex claims with specific, analyzed evidence.
Pour a Cup of T-E-A
There’s nothing inherently wrong with A-C-E. It’s a great tool for English classrooms and text-based analysis. But for AP World History—where understanding historical context, providing relevant examples, and explaining significance matter most. T-E-A gives students a clearer roadmap for success.
In my classroom, TEA isn’t just a writing strategy, it’s a thinking strategy. And that’s why I’ll keep pouring a cup for my students every time we write an SAQ.
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