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Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. - Anton Chekhov
Individual Research-Based Essay (IMP, IWA) and Presentation | 35%
■ Individual Written Argument
■ Individual Multimedia Presentation
■ Oral Defense
Did you know?
You cannot earned full points for the IWA without a relevant integration of two of the stimulus materials into your argument.
Task Overview
Task Overview
The College Board provides a packet of stimulus materials (articles, media, etc.). You must identify a theme, select at least two of these sources, and develop your own research question around them.
Written Component:
You independently write a 2,000-word Individual Written Argument (IWA).
Presentation:
You deliver a 6 to 8-minute Individual Multimedia Presentation (IMP) based on your essay, which is immediately followed by oral defense questions.
Oral Defense:
You individually answer two questions from your teacher: one focusing on your research process and one on your conclusion.
Individual Written Argument (IWA):
Stimulus Connection: Did you genuinely integrate the provided stimulus materials into your overarching theme and argument, or does it feel forced?
Context & Argument: Is your research question clear, and do you establish a strong, logically sound argument?
Multiple Perspectives: Do you evaluate and compare different viewpoints, including counterarguments or limitations to your solution?
Evidence: Is your evidence synthesized effectively to back up your claims?
Individual Multimedia Presentation (IMP) & Oral Defense (OD):
Argument Translation: Can you translate your written academic argument into a compelling visual and spoken presentation?
Audience Engagement: Are your delivery techniques (vocal variety, movement) and slide designs professional and impactful?
Defense Responses: During the two teacher-asked questions, do you provide specific, detailed reflections on your research process, rather than generic answers?
The Line of Reasoning
The Line of Reasoning
The College Board graders look specifically for your Line of Reasoning. This is simply the logical order in which you present your claims.
A strong Line of Reasoning flows naturally. For example:
Claim 1 (The Problem): Define the specific severity of the issue.
Claim 2 (The Cause): Argue why current solutions are failing.
Claim 3 (The Solution): Argue for your specific intervention.
Claim 4 (The Counter-argument): Acknowledge the limitations of your solution, but argue why your solution is still the best path forward.
Strong AP Seminar Claims Must:
Strong AP Seminar Claims Must:
Directly support the thesis: Every claim must explicitly tie back to proving your main argument.
Require evidence: A claim must be something you have to prove using the peer-reviewed sources you synthesized.
Represent a specific lens or perspective: Often, each claim in AP Seminar looks at the issue through a different lens (e.g., economic, ethical, environmental, social).
A Strong AP Seminar Thesis Must Be:
A Strong AP Seminar Thesis Must Be:
Defensible: It takes a clear stance on a debatable issue.
Specific: It avoids vague words like "bad," "good," or "things."
Solution/Conclusion-Oriented: For the IWA, it often proposes a resolution, conclusion, or specific call to action based on the research.
Nuanced: It acknowledges that the issue is complex, often by briefly nodding to a counter-argument.
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