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Writing Tips for the FRQ
Each teacher has their own approach to teaching the FRQ; however, there are certain elements that should be considered for all students taking the exam. Some of those elements are related to the makeup of the test. The other elements take into account those who will be scoring the FRQs. APHG scorers do not give higher scores for students who follow these guidelines, but it will be easier for the scorer to find the answer given.
AP Human Geography FRQs
The exam will include 3 FRQs with 7 questions (A-G) for each FRQ
Each question is worth 1 point
Students will receive 1 point or 0 points for each question; there are 21 possible points
The FRQ section is 50% of the final APHG Exam score
Each question will ask you to do one of five things: Define, Identify, Describe, Compare, or Explain
McCrackin's FRQ Suggestions
Answer each question as a separate entity. DO NOT answer all seven questions for the FRQ in one paragraph
Label each question with the corresponding label (Write the letter A. before answer question A.; B. before B., etc.)
You cannot lose points; answer every question
DON'T BE LAZY! Answer the question completely
Define, Identify, Describe, Compare, and Explain
DEFINE
DEFINE
Define is one of the two more simple writing elements for the APHG Exam. For a DEFINE question, write a definition for the term provided in the prompt. If there are any doubts that you have failed to provide a definition that would make sense to the APHG Exam scorer, provide an example.
IDENTIFY
IDENTIFY
Identify is the second of the more simple writing elements for the APHG Exam. For an IDENTIFY question, give an example or provide the correct choice depending upon the prompt. If you are asked to identify "which of the following" or a specific item from a map, table, or chart, use the exact wording provided by the prompt and/or the stimulus.
DESCRIBE
DESCRIBE
Describe requires more substance to the answer. For a DESCRIBE question, rather than just providing a base-level answer, provide the relevant characteristics of the topic of the prompt.
COMPARE
COMPARE
For a COMPARE question, provide similarities and/or differences for the concepts discussed in the prompt. Since this is an explanation of the comparison, use the word "because" in the answer. Important note: the similarities and differences discussed need to confront the characteristics of the concepts on the SAME SCALE!
EXPLAIN
EXPLAIN
For an EXPLAIN question, more depth is needed in answering the prompt than a describe question. An explain question requires a discussion about how/why a process or pattern occurs. Use "because" in the answer and provide examples or reasoning to strengthen the answer.
ACE
ACE
Remember ACE when answering FRQ questions. Answer the question--in particluar, answer the question that is being asked, not the question desired. Cite example(s) to demonstrate understanding. Explain how the provided answer addresses the prompt.
What if I don't know the answer?
What if I don't know the answer?
When the answer is unknown on a describe, compare, or explain question, do the following: (1) Answer the question using a key term or proper noun from APHG, (2) define that key term or proper noun, (3) give example(s) of the key term or proper noun, and (4) tell how the key term or proper noun answers the prompt--use the word "because" in the answer.
Remember!
Remember!
Where? What is the location of the phenomenon being addressed in the prompt?
Why there? Why does the phenomenon occur in that place and not others?
Who cares? Who are the people affected by the phenomenon?
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