Types of Evidence for Argumentative Essays | AP Lang Q3

Summary

In this video, Coach All Rights provides valuable tips on selecting effective evidence for an AP Lang argument essay. She explains the importance of using specific, real-world evidence over generalities and hypotheticals, offering helpful mnemonics like CHORES to categorize evidence. Coach emphasizes the need for concrete, detailed examples and the significance of commentary to support each piece of evidence. She advises students to focus on their strengths, whether it’s history or personal experiences, and to prioritize a clear line of reasoning in their essays. The video is a helpful guide for students aiming to improve their AP Lang writing skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 Emphasize specific, detailed evidence over general or hypothetical examples in your AP Lang argument essays.
• 😀 Use mnemonic devices like 'chores' to categorize evidence into areas such as current events, history, and personal experiences for easier brainstorming.
• 😀 Select evidence that best fits your argument and supports your thesis rather than trying to cover all categories of evidence.
• 😀 Personal experience can be a powerful form of evidence, especially when it's relevant and directly tied to the prompt.
• 😀 Specific evidence should include concrete details (names, dates, events) to make your argument more convincing and credible.
• 😀 Commentary is crucial in your essay – it explains how your evidence supports your thesis, so always follow evidence with an analysis.
• 😀 Avoid overly broad or general statements like 'I've been competitive my whole life' – they lack the detail needed to be convincing.
• 😀 Organize your essay with a clear line of reasoning and a logical progression of ideas from your thesis to supporting evidence.
• 😀 If you're using multiple examples in a paragraph, ensure they're paired effectively and follow a logical order (chronological or otherwise).
• 😀 It's not mandatory to address a counterargument in AP Lang argument essays, but it can strengthen your position if done well.
• 😀 Plan ahead by outlining your essay, focusing on real-world examples, and ensuring each piece of evidence directly proves your thesis.

Q & A

What mnemonic does the speaker recommend for brainstorming evidence for an AP Lang argument essay?

The speaker recommends the mnemonic *CHORES*, which stands for Current events, History, Outside knowledge, Reading, Experiences, and Science. This helps students categorize evidence for their essays.

Why does the speaker suggest using a mnemonic like *CHORES*?

The speaker suggests using a mnemonic like *CHORES* because it helps students brainstorm different types of evidence, covering a wide variety of topics, which can be useful for developing a strong argument in an essay.

Should students use evidence from all categories of *CHORES* in a timed essay?

No, the speaker does not require students to use evidence from all categories. Instead, students should select the evidence that best fits the argument they want to make.

What kind of evidence does the speaker recommend avoiding in an AP Lang argument essay?

The speaker recommends avoiding general or somewhat specific evidence. The evidence should be detailed and developed, rather than vague or too broad.

What is the difference between general evidence and somewhat specific evidence in the context of an AP Lang essay?

General evidence might be something like 'I’ve been competitive my whole life,' which is too broad and doesn’t provide enough detail. Somewhat specific evidence would elaborate more, such as 'I competed for a starting spot on my high school soccer team,' offering a more concrete example but still lacking full detail.

What makes evidence specific in an AP Lang argument essay?

Specific evidence is detailed and developed. It includes concrete examples with names, dates, and other real-world details that clearly prove the main idea of the paragraph and support the thesis.

How does the speaker recommend developing specific evidence from more general statements?

The speaker suggests taking general evidence, such as personal experiences or broad examples, and adding more concrete details to make them more specific. For example, detailing the competition for a soccer spot with specific actions and results strengthens the evidence.

What is the role of commentary in an AP Lang argument essay?

Commentary explains why the evidence is important and how it proves the thesis. It is crucial for analysis and should follow the evidence in each body paragraph. The speaker suggests using the word 'because' to help develop commentary.

Does the speaker recommend including a counterargument in an AP Lang argument essay?

Including a counterargument is not required but can strengthen the essay if done well. The speaker suggests including a counterargument only if you have a strong rebuttal or refutation.

How should students organize their evidence in an AP Lang argument essay?

Students should organize their evidence logically, with a clear progression of ideas that supports their thesis. If using multiple examples in one paragraph, students should decide on the best order for those examples, such as chronological or reverse chronological, and ensure smooth transitions.