AP Reading for Q3Argumentative Essay Reminders!

The Prompt

Read it carefully!

Be sure to address ALL parts of the prompt.

2014 – Asked students to explain what they mean by creativity AND to argue for or against the creation of a class in creativity. Many students only addressed the second part, omitting the definition of creativity.

Introduction

Should be informative & interesting.

May include information from the prompt page, but it doesn’t have to do that. In fact, it’s better if you’re more original than to copy something from the prompt page.

Consider thesis/claim position. Most readers look for it in the introduction. If you choose, you may save it for the conclusion if you INTEND to BUILD your line of reasoning up to that point. It shouldn’t just be stuck at the end as an afterthought; it would be better to put it in the introduction.

Body Paragraphs

Should establish a line of reasoning; this means that the ideas in the paper should MOVE and UNFOLD from idea to idea, leading the reader through the essay with the purpose of providing a convincing argument.

May contain viable examples that directly support the claim. Examples should be fully developed, not merely mentioned.

Provide meaningful transitions to propel the ideas forward.

Dig deep! Essays that present superficial information that doesn’t go deeper will be considered a lower-level paper (SP 4 or below).

Conclusion

Should add value to the argument, DRAWING A CONCLUSION based on everything else in the essay.

Avoid merely restating the claim and introductory information. Repetition here does not add value.

Valuable and intentional repetition like anaphora or epistrophe could add value, though.

Tone should sound convincing.

This is your final opportunity to impress your reader!

Things to Avoid

Cliché words and phrasing; be original!!

Formulaic essay structure that is too obvious.

Unnecessary & unintentional repetition

Grammar & usage errors; find & correct as many as you have time to correct.

Trite, superficial ideas that remain on the surface. Readers are looking for in-depth, critical thinking.

Miscellaneous

Ink pen is necessary! Dark blue or black – preferably NOT a gel pen that bleeds through the page.

Proofread if time allows. Correct anything that could hinder fluency & meaning.

Balance your time between the 3 essays.

Think about your reader as you write. You want to impress him/her. You want to showcase skills you’ve learned since 9th gr. PreAP – critical thinking, writing.

Speaking of your reader – Don’t make him/her work too hard to read your penmanship!!