The BEST Way to Break Down the Argument Prompt!

Summary

In this engaging video, Tim Freitas, the host of 'Garden of English', addresses the challenges of writing an argumentative essay under the pressure of an AP exam. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the prompt thoroughly by identifying positions, perspectives, and assumptions within it. Freitas introduces a systematic approach to breaking down the argument prompt, starting with a 'springboard step' that helps to build thoughts around the essay's subject. He then guides viewers through marking their agreement or disagreement with the identified elements and finding the command element in the prompt to generate a 'conquer question'. This question, starting with 'what' or 'to what extent', will shape the thesis and guide the essay. Freitas encourages practice with multiple AP prompts to internalize these steps and prepare for the exam efficiently.

Takeaways

• 📚 Start by identifying the positions, perspectives, and assumptions within the argument prompt. This forms the foundation for your essay.
• 🔍 A position is the argument being made, while a perspective is the relationship of the person arguing to the subject.
• 🤔 Consider the assumptions by looking for implications within the prompt that suggest something is true without explicitly stating it.
• 📝 Use an organizer to mark and record the positions and perspectives, and if chosen, the assumptions.
• ✅ Mark your agreement or disagreement with the positions and assumptions with plus or minus signs to guide your argument.
• 🔑 Find the command element in the prompt, which usually starts with the word 'argue', and use it to generate a question for your thesis.
• 🧐 Create a 'conquer question' beginning with 'what' or 'to what extent' to clarify your stance on the prompt's command.
• 📈 Reflect on your initial reaction to the conquer question, noting your gut position even if it's not fully reasoned yet.
• ⏱️ Practice these steps with multiple prompts to internalize the process and complete it efficiently within the exam time limit.
• 📈 Develop a sophisticated thesis statement that clearly answers the conquer question, setting you up for a strong essay.
• 📉 Remember that neglecting the assumptions is not fatal to your essay; focus on positions and perspectives for a solid foundation.
• 📚 The AMSC/AP Language Composition book provides accessible prompts and is a valuable resource for practice.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The main focus of the video is to guide viewers on how to approach and write an argumentative essay, specifically for AP English Language exams, by breaking down the argument prompt.

Who is the intended audience for this video?

The intended audience for this video is AP English Language students, particularly those in Ms. Hudic's class at Holy Cross High School and Ms. Gazette's class at Mount Saint Mary's.

What is the 'springboard step' in the context of the video?

The 'springboard step' is the first step in analyzing an argument prompt, where one identifies the positions, perspectives, and assumptions within the prompt to build a foundation for their argument.

What is the difference between a 'position' and a 'perspective' as explained in the video?

A 'position' is what is actually being argued, while a 'perspective' is the relationship of the person arguing to the subject they are arguing about. For example, both a teacher and a parent might share the same position on a student's success, but their perspectives as an educator and a guardian, respectively, would differ.

Why is identifying assumptions in the prompt important?

Identifying assumptions is important because it allows for a more nuanced and critical understanding of the prompt, which can help generate deeper insights and a stronger argument in the essay.

What is the purpose of marking positions and perspectives in the organizer?

Marking positions and perspectives in the organizer helps to organize thoughts and develop different ways to engage with the prompt, making it easier to construct a well-structured argumentative essay.

How does the command element of the prompt help in writing the essay?

The command element, which starts with the word 'argue', guides the writer on what they need to address in their essay. It helps in generating a question that the thesis must answer, which simplifies the process of thesis generation and ensures the essay addresses the prompt's requirements.

What should one do after identifying the command element of the prompt?

After identifying the command element, one should generate a question or questions that their thesis will need to answer. This is done by creating a 'conquer question' that starts with 'what' or 'to what extent' to clarify the position on the topic.

Why is it recommended to use 'to what extent' when formulating the conquer question?

Using 'to what extent' in the conquer question encourages a more nuanced exploration of the topic, allowing for a deeper analysis and a clearer delineation of the writer's position in the thesis.

What is the final step in the planning process before writing the essay?

The final step in the planning process is to jot down the initial reaction to the conquer question generated in step four, which helps in formulating the thesis and setting the writer's position on the topic.

How can students practice the steps outlined in the video?

Students can practice the steps by working with multiple AP exam prompts, both to internalize the process and to refine their ability to turn planning thoughts into sophisticated thesis statements and essays.