Written response expectations and examples

Technical writing is a large part of APCSP.  All written assignments are expected to be in complete sentences, use correct grammar and use correct punctuation.  A high quality written response is contains well designed, clear, concise answers with supporting details.  Consider the following sample prompt:

 “Give at least one specific example of an aspect or experience in your personal life that is related to the chapter.”

Here is an example of a poorly written response that would not score well:

I used search engines all the time.

Here is an example of a well written, high quality response.  Note the summary of the chapter and then explanation of an example that illustrates the chapter content.  This student shows an excellent grasp of the chapter content and is able to apply it to a personal experience.  This is not a long, elaborate essay but it conveys all of the important information in a clear manner.  This example is definitely at an AP level and would score very well.  

The authors center this chapter on how search engines are manipulated to serve government and political party’s wishes and ideals. They explain how a Google search for “democracy” yields different results in China versus the United States. Obviously both countries have very different connotations of democracy, and they want people to think the way they do. So, the same Google search alters depending on the zone and country we live in. I personally saw this during my trip to India. In the U.S, I had searched up information about Jayalalitha, an Indian central minister. The readings were generally neutral, exposing the good and bad of her life. However, when I opened the same search in India, almost all of the articles listed were highly biased, exposing only the good in her. Thus, country matters, and I learnt that even Google is subject to political strategies. 

1.2.1: Written Response Expectations and Examples Google Doc for students