How to Write the ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY FRQ for AP Gov

Summary

This video from the Heimlich series focuses on mastering the argumentative essay for the AP Government exam. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the prompt, planning with evidence, and adhering to the rubric for a high score. The host guides viewers through crafting a strong thesis, selecting relevant evidence, and incorporating reasoning and an alternate perspective to construct a compelling argument, aiming for a perfect score of six.

Takeaways

• 📝 The AP Government argumentative essay is the most complex writing task, scored on a scale of six points.
• ⏰ Students are given 40 minutes to complete the essay, focusing on material from nine foundational documents.
• 🎯 The essay's subject and argument should be clearly identified from the exam prompt to avoid misdirection.
• 🧠 A few minutes should be spent planning the essay, brainstorming specific evidence to support the argument.
• 📑 The essay must include evidence from the documents provided in the prompt, with at least one piece being mandatory.
• 📝 A strong thesis is crucial, as it sets the stage for the essay and is the first point of scoring.
• 🔍 Evidence must be named, explained, and analyzed to demonstrate how it supports the thesis for full points.
• 🤔 Including an alternate perspective and then refuting it strengthens the essay and can earn an additional point.
• 📈 The rubric is the guide for what readers are looking for, so understanding it is key to scoring well.
• 💯 To achieve a perfect score, the essay must effectively use evidence to support a clear argument, analyze that evidence, and consider alternative viewpoints.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the argumentative essay in the AP Government curriculum?

The main focus of the argumentative essay in the AP Government curriculum is to analyze and discuss material from the nine foundational documents required in the course, using evidence to support an argument about a specific prompt.

How is the argumentative essay scored?

The argumentative essay is scored on a scale of six points, with each point building on the previous one according to a rubric that evaluates the thesis, evidence, reasoning, and alternate perspective.

What is the suggested time to write the argumentative essay?

The suggested time to write the argumentative essay is 40 minutes.

What are the two key elements to look for in the essay prompt?

The two key elements to look for in the essay prompt are the subject and the argument. The subject is the topic of the essay, and the argument is the stance or point of view the student is expected to take on that subject.

Why is it important to understand the prompt before writing the essay?

Understanding the prompt is crucial because if the student misunderstands the prompt and writes about a different topic, they will earn zero points regardless of the quality of the essay, as it will not address the given prompt.

What is the purpose of the introduction and required documents provided in the prompt?

The introduction in the prompt provides helpful context, while the required documents are sources that can be used to support the argument with specific evidence.

How should a student approach planning their essay?

A student should spend a few minutes brainstorming and writing down potential pieces of specific evidence that could be used to address the prompt, even before forming a complete argument.

What is the significance of the thesis in the argumentative essay?

The thesis is significant because it sets the direction for the essay and must make an argument while being specific with evidence. If a student does not earn the thesis point, the highest possible score for the essay is one out of six.

How can a student earn the full three points for evidence in the rubric?

A student can earn the full three points for evidence by using at least two pieces of evidence to support their thesis, with at least one piece coming from the documents listed in the prompt.

What does the reasoning section of the rubric require?

The reasoning section requires the student to go beyond just stating evidence by demonstrating how or why the evidence supports their thesis, which involves naming, explaining, and analyzing the evidence.

How can a student earn the point for alternate perspective in the rubric?

A student can earn the point for alternate perspective by acknowledging an opposing view and then showing why their argument makes better sense of the evidence.