Mastering the Art of Argumentative Writing for AP English Language
Understand the key elements of writing a high-scoring argumentative essay for the AP Language exam. Learn how to analyze prompts effectively, determine your position, craft a strong thesis, and develop a coherent argument with appropriate evidence.
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AP Language & Composition Adapted from: https://www.albert.io/blog/how-to-get-a-9-on-argument-frq-in-ap-english-language/ https://essayclick.net/blog/argumentative-essay-outline
Argues a position Uses appropriate and convincing evidence Showcases a wide range of the elements of writing Employs appropriate construction (solid framework)
The first question to ask yourself is what am I being asked to do? Look for keywords and phrases that will answer that question. If you cannot determine what the question is, go back and reread the prompt. Knowing the question you are answering is the most important part of AP writing. Ensure that you aren t just writing an essay that responds to the general sense of the prompt.
Think, Pair, Share Think, Pair, Share What is the What is the exigence exigence for this prompt? for this prompt?
Determine your position on the subject: agree, disagree or qualify There is no right or wrong answer Both sides are arguable, pick one and stick to it. Don t waffle
Should be simple and elegant Should encompass your entire essay in one sentence Must break down your claim (agree, disagree, qualify) Must assert that you will support that claim with examples (For AP FRQ must be from readings, personal experiences, and history/current events)
Good example As Wilde claims, disobedience is a valuable human trait without which progress could not be made because, in situations like the American Revolution, it is only deviance from the norm that can change the norm. Bad example Disobedience is a good trait for humans, because historically, disobedient men and women made history. Think, Pair, Share Think, Pair, Share What makes the second prompt less appropriate? What makes the second prompt less appropriate?
A good argument builds as you move through the essay It does not simply repeat the same points The different points of the argument build off one another and work together to advance the author s perspective
Exigence: students are asked to define creativity and to argue for, or against, the creation of a class in creativity Position: Agree Thesis: Creativity is best thought of as making connections, which is a type of thinking that can be taught; therefore, making connections is best taught in school, as opposed to outside of it. Think, Pair, Share Think, Pair, Share Does the order of the argument make sense? Why or why not? Does the order of the argument make sense? Why or why not?
All arguments need evidence This is the proof you need to support your thesis Every point you make is supported by evidence Remember: your main purpose in this essay is to persuade Think, Pair, Share Think, Pair, Share What can be used as evidence? What can be used as evidence?
Exigence: students asked to argue what is the function of polite speech in a culture they are familiar with. Supportive evidence: Polite speech is useful for conveying tone, especially in the world of the Internet. A great example of this need is email. Because emails are virtual communications, they are completely stripped of the context that non-verbal cues, like body language, eye contact, and physical touch, can provide. Polite, formal speech conveys that the sender of the email respects the receiver. Phrases like How are you? help convey friendliness between e-mailers. Taking the time to ensure an email sounds friendly can, for example, help ease the sting of a virtual scolding from a boss to a subordinate. As more communication becomes virtual, polite speech is more important than ever to provide context. Think, Pair, Share Think, Pair, Share What makes this evidence effective? What makes this evidence effective?
There are four basic sections of any argumentative essay you should follow: Introduction paragraph Body with 2-3 strong arguments Refuting opposing arguments in one paragraph Conclusion
Hook your reader's attention Since most of the immigrants in the United States speak Spanish due to the proximity with Latin America, Spanish should be made the second official language in the United States." Background Information is important and who cares about it "The research shows that immigrants from Latin America feel uncomfortable with studying in English schools as they require more time to learn this language. Thus, it is important to work on the question of the second national language." Thesis statement clearly and without any hesitations Hook - a powerful, eye-catching hook to grab Background Information - explain why the topic Thesis statement - - s state your main point of view
Claim argumentative essay's thesis "Making Spanish the second official language would positively impact the economic relationships between Mexico and the United States." Evidence anecdotes "12% increase in trade between the US and Mexico was a notice in 2014 when Arizona's local government send people who spoke Spanish to take part in the deal." Transition that connects one claim to the next In addition to potential economic benefits Claim - a statement to support your Evidence facts, statistics, expert opinions, Transition- a single word, a phrase, a sentence
Recognize different points of view regarding the same topic Indicate lack of rationality in those view point Lack of ambition to learn another language Disapproval of a Spanish-speaking nation s government Fear of losing one s own cultural identity/place in society
Restate the thesis Emphasis the importance of the topic again "Without meeting the needs of the Latin American population, the US faces potential unrest as experienced in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Call to action
