Take a strong stance—agree (defend) or disagree (challenge). You may qualify—a combination position, creating your own view.
To qualify is to create a complex sentence, putting the lesser part of your argument in a dependent clause and the strongest part in the main sentence, the independent clause (Ex. “Although the death penalty....sometimes it is...”
(Preparation/ planning time—approx. 10 minutes)
including any text that accompanies it
If possible, underline the claim in the prompt itself
Write "defend" (or +) and "challenge" (-) respectively at the top of each column
I have this friend who uses :) and :( instead of (+) and (-) [I may or may not be "this friend"]
Assemble brief snippets of evidence that could be used for each position (jotting brief notes for both sides keeps you open-minded and ready to offer concessions easily--Rogerian-like)
CATEGORIZE your examples into 2-3 broad categories (Ex. enhances socialization, increases opportunities, produces productive members of society -- depending on the topic). Try, as best as possible to use parallel structure. *We'll talk more about this within the next couple of weeks.
Examples can include the following:
universal truths, personal observations, history, current events, politics, literature/reading, entertainment/pop culture (careful with this one, as it can sound unrefined), hypothetical examples (provided it is believable), government, analogy philosophy, commonly accepted beliefs or trends in society, opposing viewpoints (provided you adequately disprove it), definitions, etc....show off your worldly knowledge!!
Show diversity in your examples! Do NOT write an APUSH essay, relying solely on historical facts/examples as support—there is a separate test for that! Ask Ms. Richmond or Mrs. Simons for the differences between the two!
(Writing time—approx. 25-30 minutes)
Create a innovative introduction that not only introduces your argument, but garners the interest of the reader...remember, AP readers have thousands of essays to grade, so make it interesting!
Reference the author, quote, claim, etc. How are you to defend or challenge a claim you don’t identify first?
Make sure that you have an obviously clear and strong stance on the issue/prompt, which will serve as your thesis—try to show sophistication and critical thought. The thesis is the last sentence of your introduction paragraph!
You need topic sentences that address what you will be discussing in the proceeding paragraph and relate to your thesis/prompt—don’t disregard the basics, but improve upon them! ;)
Use transitions between ideas, as well as between paragraphs to increase fluidity and coherence. Review the transition handout I provided at the beginning of the year! Avoid elementary transitions, such as “in conclusion” “first, second, third....used in concession”
Integrate the examples (or others you’ve thought of) into your argument, making sure that the examples relate to that particular point/main body paragraph, as well as to the prompt itself.
Examples should be as specific as possible, and you need more than just one example per paragraph!!! How much credence would you give an argument that merely relied on an example or two? (A lack of examples also gives rise to a larger risk for error! Think about it—if the one or two examples is/are weak or erroneous, your argument falters! Your goal is a strong, well-written argument!)
Explanation/commentary—you need to connect your examples to the prompt. Ask yourself the following about each example: “How does this prove my point?” “How does this enhance my argument or the point I am trying to make?” “Why have I included this example? What’s the point?” “So what?”
The commentary/explanation is the opportunity for you to argue your point!! Use the persuasive examples we’ve read in class as models! Some suggestions—related examples (also works to provide additional evidence/support), rhetorical questions, analyze/deconstruct the example, repetition/anaphora, analogies, passionate tone, appeal to pathos (emotion) or logos (logical thought patterns), quotations from literature (including historical documents) etc.
Make sure you have a proper conclusion that adequately ends your paper.
Go beyond summary—end on an impactful note that will leave the reader questioning society or some larger/deeper meaning to life. Leave those AP readers in awe and “blow their minds!” (Excuse the obvious cliché). Think 10% summary, 90% ingenuity!!
Use the rhetorical strategies we’ve been reading and discussing in class to reiterate the points in your argument and persuade that AP reader that your position is correct....and deserving of a score of a 9!!
(Editing time—approx. 3 minutes)
Avoid logical fallacies, clichés, colloquial diction (“thing”), overused verbs (“this shows”) mechanical errors!!
Remember to find your voice, have passion, and be strongly persuasive!! If you believe in your argument and convey it in a sophisticated manner, you leave your audience with no choice to consider your argument at the very least, if not to fully accept it as truth!!
Remember the subtle, but significant differences between the argumentative essay and the persuasive essay (e.g. avoid a strong pathos-embedded/claim of policy statement as your thesis).