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Lesson Plan: AP Government: Argumentative Essay Practice

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The Federalist Papers

Boston College professor Mary Sarah Bilder gives a brief overview backgrounding the Federalist Papers

Description

This is intended as an end-of-course review activity for practice with the argumentative essay format included on the AP United States Government and Politics exam since the 2018 redesign. Eleven practice prompts are provided, reflecting content from Units 1-3.

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY PROMPT ANALYSIS

  • Review the provided Argumentative Essay Prompts in either an individual or jigsaw format.
  • Write a thesis statement for your selected prompt(s) and identify the selection you would make from the provided list and the second piece of evidence you would choose.
  • If there are prompts for which you struggle to develop a thesis, or items on the bulleted lists with which you are not conversant, use the hyperlinked C-SPAN Classroom resources to extend your understanding of the required founding documents and SCOTUS cases that you found challenging.

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

  • Chose one or more of the provided Argumentative Essay Prompts , as assigned, and use the planning and exploration you did above to write a full essay in response to your designated prompt(s) in 25 or fewer minutes , since that's the time limit you'll face on the AP Exam!
  • Exchange essays with a classmate and evaluate each others' work.
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  • House Of Representatives
  • Separation Of Powers
  • Supreme Court

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The Complete Guide to AP US Government FRQs

Advanced Placement (AP)

feature_apusgovfreeresponse.jpg

Free-response questions, or FRQs, on the AP US Government exam are more straightforward than those on some other AP tests, but they can still be tough if you're not ready for them. In this guide, we will lay out a simple step-by-step method for answering AP Government FRQs , go through a real example, and tell you where you can find additional practice resources.

AP Government Free-Response Section Format

The free-response section lasts one hour and 40 minutes and consists of four questions , each of which is worth 12.5% of your total score. So as a whole, the free-response section accounts for half your total AP Gov score (the other 50% comes from the multiple-choice section). Each FRQ is worth 3-6 raw points.

Here are the four types of FRQs you'll get on the AP Government exam:

  • Concept Application (3 raw points)
  • Quantitative Analysis (4 raw points)
  • SCOTUS Comparison (4 raw points)
  • Argument Essay (6 raw points)

The free-response questions will ask you to integrate your knowledge of the various content areas covered by the course. This includes analyzing political events in the US, discussing examples, and demonstrating your understanding of general principles of US government and politics. You'll also be asked to examine data from charts, define key terms, and explain the roles that different parts of our government play in the political system.

The following chart shows specifically what you must do for each FRQ on the AP Government test. All info below comes from the 2020 AP US Government and Politics Course and Exam Description .

1. Concept Application Presents students with an authentic scenario. Assesses student ability to describe and explain the effects of a political institution, behavior, or process. Additionally, this question assesses student ability to transfer understanding of course concepts and apply them in a new situation or scenario.
2. Quantitative Analysis

Presents students with quantitative data in the form of a table, graph, map, or infographic. This question assesses students' ability to perform the following:

3. SCOTUS Comparison

Presents students with a description of a non-required Supreme Court Case and its holding. This question assesses students' ability to do the following:

4. Argument Essay

Assesses students' ability to do the following:

Looking for help studying for your AP exam? Our one-on-one online AP tutoring services can help you prepare for your AP exams. Get matched with a top tutor who got a high score on the exam you're studying for!

AP Government FRQs: 5-Step Solution Process

This section provides a step-by-step process for answering any question on the AP US Government exam. Here's a sample question from the 2020 AP Gov Course and Exam Description that I'll reference throughout so you can see how these steps might work in practice:

body_ap_us_gov_free_response_sample_question

Step 1: Read the Introductory and Concluding Sentences

Free-response questions #1 and #3 will include passages, while question #2 will have an image or a chart with data. Skim the first and final sentences of the passage (or title of the graphic for #2) before you get to the tasks (labeled A-C or A-D). This will help you get a rough sense of what to expect in the rest of the question.

It's a good idea to read the intros and conclusions to all the FRQs before choosing which one to begin with. Doing this might help build up your confidence and improve your efficiency to start with a question that's easier for you.

In the sample question above, you would read the title of the graphic ("Public Education Spending: Amount Spent per Pupil by State in 2014") and then skim the image itself to get a sense of what it's asking you to analyze.

body_person_holding_magnifying_glass

Step 2: Identify (and Underline, If You Want) the Command Verb

For each task in each FRQ, you're given specific instructions on the type of answer that is expected; these instructions include command verbs that tell you what to do. It's important to be aware of exactly what the question is asking so you can earn full points.

These command verbs are the first words you should zero in on as you approach a question. If you think it'll help keep you focused, you can underline these verbs .

Here are the most commonly used task verbs, as described in the AP Gov Exam Description :

Compare: Provide a description or explanation of similarities and/or differences.

Define: Provide a specific meaning for a word or concept.

Describe: Provide the relevant characteristics of a specified topic.

Develop an argument: Articulate a claim and support it with evidence.

Draw a conclusion: Use available information to formulate an accurate statement that demonstrates understanding based on evidence.

Explain: Provide information about how or why a relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome occurs, using evidence and/or reasoning. Explain "how" typically requires analyzing the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome, whereas explain "why" typically requires analysis of motivations or reasons for the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome.

Identify: Indicate or provide information about a specified topic, without elaboration or explanation.

In part A of the sample question, the command verb is "identify," indicating that you need to correctly interpret the data in the image. In part B, the command verb changes to "describe," which means you'll need to go one step further and interpret and analyze data in the graphic that you have found.

Part C starts with "draw a conclusion," meaning that you will need to tie together the evidence you found in part B to come up with a final (accurate) statement on what this means. Finally, part D begins with the task verb "explain," showing that you must make a clear connection between the data in this graphic as a whole and the principle of federalism.

Step 3: Know Where You'll Earn Your Raw Points

In general, each part in a question (A, B, C, and D) will correspond to 1 raw point , but not all questions are like this.

After finding the task verb in the part of the question you're answering, take note of how many examples or descriptions you need to provide , as each will likely correspond to a point in your raw score for the question. There might also be more than one task verb in a question, in which case you'll likely get at least 2 raw points for it.

As a reminder, here is the maximum number of raw points you can earn for each question (don't forget that each question is still worth the same percentage of your score: 12.5%):

Take care to answer the question thoroughly but directly , addressing all points in a way that will make it easy for graders to assess your response. Remember that you don't need to write an essay for the first three FRQs, so just go straight for the answer to avoid any ambiguity.

In the sample question, we know there will be 4 raw points you can earn. And since the tasks are divided into four parts (labeled A-D), we can assume that each part will be worth 1 raw point .

You can see more sample FRQs and how they're graded with the official scoring guidelines here .

Step 4: Reread Your Answer

Once you've come up with an answer, reread what you wrote to ensure it makes sense and addresses the question completely . Did you give the correct number of descriptions or examples asked of you? Does your answer directly respond to what the question is asking?

If you're satisfied, move on to the next part of the question and return to step 2!

Step 5: Pace Yourself

The final step is to keep track of time so you can be sure you're pacing yourself effectively and are not spending too much time on any one question. As a reminder, you'll have one hour and 40 minutes for the entire free-response section of the AP Government exam.

It's suggested that you spend the following amounts of time on each FRQ:

FRQ #1: Concept Application 20 minutes
FRQ #2: Quantitative Analysis 20 minutes
FRQ #3: SCOTUS Comparison 20 minutes
FRQ #4: Argument Essay 40 minutes

As you can see, you should spend about an equal amount of time on the first three FRQs and save most of your time for your essay , which will likely require the most effort of the four.

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A Real AP Government FRQ Example + Analysis

Now, let's go through the answers to a real AP Government free-response question from the 2019 released questions to show you what your responses should look like. This question is an example of a Concept Application question on the exam, meaning it's worth 3 raw points (1 point each for parts A, B, and C).

body_ap_gov_frq_sample_question

This question is all about the Johnson Amendment, which does not allow religious organizations to engage in political activities and contribute money to political campaigns. As this passage explains, the Alliance Defending Freedom, a religious group, encourages pastors to challenge this law by participating in an annual event called Pulpit Freedom Sunday.

Below, we go through how to answer each of the three parts correctly using the scoring guidelines .

Part A—1 Point

Part A asks you to come up with an example of a specific action Congress could take to address the concerns of the Alliance Defending Freedom. In other words, what could Congress do to allow groups such as the Alliance Defending Freedom to speak freely about political campaigns?

Note that the command verb used here is "describe," meaning you must "provide the relevant characteristics of a specified topic," or elaborate on what you're proposing and why it would work.

There are two possible answers you could put down here, according to the scoring guidelines:

  • Congress could pass a law that would reverse the Johnson Amendment.
  • Congress could pass a law to allow religious organizations to participate more directly in politics.

Part B—1 Point

Part B asks you to go into more detail about what you proposed in part A . You must talk about how partisan divisions (i.e., differences in political parties among politicians) could stop whatever you proposed in part A from going into effect (whether that's a new law altogether or a reversal of the original Johnson Amendment).

The task verb used here is "explain," so you must use evidence to show how the action you wrote down in part A could be blocked or reversed.

Here are two possible answers , according to the scoring guidelines:

  • Partisan divisions make it more difficult to pass a law because parties adhere to different ideological points of view.
  • If Congress and the president are from different political parties, the president might threaten to veto the legislation.

Part C—1 Point

The final part of this free-response question asks you to examine the scenario again, this time from the perspective of the Alliance Defending Freedom , or the religious group in question.

How might the Alliance argue that the Johnson Amendment, which prevents them from speaking on political issues and contributing money to political campaigns, is taking away their rights?

The key here is to first think about what rights these could be . Perhaps freedom of speech or freedom of religion? As you probably noticed, the task verb is "explain," so once again you must use plenty of evidence to show why this contentious relationship exists between the Alliance and the Johnson Amendment/the US government as a whole.

Here are examples of answers you could write, according to the official scoring guidelines:

  • The Alliance Defending Freedom and other religious groups might argue that their First Amendment rights are being violated.
  • The Alliance Defending Freedom and other religious groups might argue that their freedom of speech/religion is being violated.

body_judiciary.jpg

Essential Resources for Practicing AP US Government FRQs

There are several resources you can use to hone your skills for answering AP Government FRQs.

Official College Board Resources

The College Board website hosts free-response questions from previous tests that you can use for practice. I recommend starting with the 2019 FRQs (unfortunately, they don't come with sample student responses), as these will look the most like the questions you'll get on test day.

Once you've used those, you can look at FRQs from the 2018 test and earlier; most of these come with sample student responses so you can see what a good response looks like.

If you're hoping to practice FRQs in the context of a full-length test, here are some links to past AP Government exams you can download (as always, prioritize the most recent tests):

  • 2018 Practice Test
  • 2013 Practice Test
  • 2012 Practice Test
  • 2009 Practice Test
  • 2005 Practice Test
  • 1999 Practice Test

These are by far the best sample AP US Government free-response questions you can get because they most accurately represent what you'll see on the real test.

AP Government Review Books

AP Government review books are also solid resources for free-response practice, though they vary a lot in quality.

The Princeton Review's prep book for AP Gov includes five full-length practice tests , so there should be tons of free-response questions you can use to hone your skills. Barron's AP US Gov review book also has some useful practice tests and free-response questions.

If you use these unofficial free-response questions for practice, just be sure to intersperse them with official questions from the College Board so that you maintain an accurate sense of what to expect on the real test.

body_reviewbooks.jpg

Recap: Everything to Know About AP US Government FRQs

The four free-response questions on the AP US Government and Politics exam can be approached methodically to earn the maximum number of points.

Read the intro and conclusion to the question first so you can get your bearings. Then, for each of the separate parts, identify the task verb, figure out where you'll earn your raw points, and double-check your answer for any missing pieces or careless errors.

You should also pace yourself so that you're spending no more than 20 minutes each on the first three questions and 40 minutes on the essay.

I suggest practicing at least a few free-response questions before heading into the AP exam. The best resource to use is the College Board website, which contains an archive of past questions accompanied by scoring guidelines and sample student responses. These questions are pretty simple compared to the free-response questions on other AP tests once you get the hang of them!

What's Next?

Not sure where to begin in your AP prep? Our five-step plan will prepare you to take on any AP test .

If you're missing some of your notes that you need to study for AP Gov, check out this article with links to all the content you need to know for the test . You can also learn about the test as a whole with our comprehensive AP Government and Politics review guide .

Do you have a target score in mind for this exam? Learn more about what it takes to earn a 5 on an AP test and whether you should aim for one yourself.

Want to build the best possible college application?   We can help.   PrepScholar Admissions combines world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've guided thousands of students to get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit and are driven to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in:

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AP US Government and Politics Free Response Strategies

Overview of the ap us government and politics exam.

Every AP U.S. Government and Politics exam will contain the same four free-response question (FRQ) types, always in the following order:

  • Concept Application : Apply government and politics concepts to a scenario described in a paragraph.
  • Quantitative Analysis : Interpret data from an information graphic, and apply the data to government and politics concepts.
  • SCOTUS Comparison : Compare a provided description of a non-required Supreme Court case to a required Supreme Court case.
  • Argument Essay : Construct an essay with a thesis, support it with evidence, and respond to a view that opposes the thesis.

AP US Government and Politics Writing Strategies

Step 1: analyze the prompt.

  • The stimulus. The first three prompts will all include a stimulus, paragraph(s) or an information graphic that serves as the base of the questions that follow. Whether text or visual, analyze the stimulus just as carefully as you do the questions themselves. Take notes, underline key facts, and mark data trends. Most of the questions will be based directly on information from the stimulus, so it is essential to fully understand the stimulus.
  • The content of the questions. Consider exactly what topics the questions address. Underline key terms and requirements. Some prompt parts might ask for more than one item—perhaps a “similarity” and a “conclusion based on the similarity”—so make sure you address them all. Read all the questions before starting work on your responses; often, the questions ask for related information or build upon each other, so understanding the set as a whole will help you plan out your response.
  • identify : point out a trend or piece of information
  • describe : fully lay out the details of something
  • explain : describe something, including why or how factors (e.g., what causes it, why it’s important)
  • analyze : explain something, considering multiple perspectives, and assert a claim based on evidence and logic

Step 2: Plan Your Response

  • Think about what you will write for each part of each prompt. Jot down brief notes—phrases and/or examples—for each part.
  • When asked to describe, discuss , or explain , see if you can come up with an example to help support your response.
  • Double check your notes against the prompt to make sure you didn’t skip any required tasks.
  • Devote an appropriate amount of time to each part, depending on the complexity of the required task. (Parts that only ask you to identify something will require less time than parts that ask you to explain or describe .)

Step 3: Action! Write Your Response

Step 4: proofread.

Learn more about each free response question on the AP U.S. Government and Politics exam. Concept Application   •  Quantitative Analysis   •  SCOTUS Comparison   •  Argument Essay

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AP US Government and Politics Argument Essay

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AP® US Government

How to approach ap® us government frqs.

  • The Albert Team
  • Last Updated On: March 1, 2022

How to Approach AP® US Government FRQs

The AP® US Government & Politics exam has four FRQs, or free-response questions. You must answer all four of the FRQs, and you have 100 minutes to do so.

The essays test your ability to think critically, analyze the topics studied in the course and demonstrate an understanding of the connections between the various parts of government.

The questions you are asked will cover content, concepts, themes and issues from all six areas of the course:

1. Constitutional underpinnings

2. Political beliefs and behaviors

3. Political parties, interest groups and the mass media

4. Institutions of national government

5. Public policy

6. Civil rights and civil liberties

Be careful. Free-response is a bit misleading.  You are not free to write about whatever you choose in response to a topic. You need to provide specific answers to each part of the question to do well. (Fortunately, within the individual questions you will often be given choices. For example, “choose one of the three court cases listed.”)

But don’t worry, we’ll tell you how to answer the FRQs specifically and fully here. You may also like our updated video on how to approach AP® US Government FRQs below:

Before The Exam

During your AP® US Government course , be sure to read your textbook and supplementary texts, with a particular focus on how the various parts of government interact. (For example, how lobbyists influence lawmakers, or how the media influence elections.) You will be expected to discuss these dynamics in your essays.

Before You Begin Writing

Read over the questions.You should plan to budget 25 minutes for each question, for a total of 100 minutes, so that you do not have to rush on any question.

(For what it’s worth, AP® scorers say one of the biggest mistakes that students make on the AP® US Government FRQs is spending too much time on one or two questions at the expense of the others, or becoming fatigued after three good answers and skipping the fourth.)

It doesn’t matter in what order you complete the essays, so feel free to complete the essays you are most comfortable with first.

As you begin, read the essay question carefully. Figure out what the subject matter is. (i.e. Congress, or political parties.)

Next, pay close attention to the essay prompt you are given. The prompt vocabulary will tell you exactly what to do in your essay. Some common prompts are:

1. Evaluate or judge – discuss the value or wisdom of a belief or idea

2. Analyze – evaluate each part of the whole systematically

3. Identify – name something, typically members of a group

4. Define – explain what something means

5. Discuss – provide details and examples of something

6. Describe – create a picture of something with details and examples

7. Compare and contrast – point out similarities and differences

8. Categorize – sort into groups based on traits or features

9. Explain – tell how and why with reasons and examples

10. Determine cause and effect – decide what leads to an event/circumstance and what results from this event/circumstance

Once you know what you are supposed to argue, brainstorm.

The questions will be specific. So your answer must be focused. Spend a few minutes writing an outline at the start of each essay. Match the points in your outline to the rubric points in the question.

As You Write

You shouldn’t try to write a five-paragraph essay with introduction and conclusion paragraphs. Have clear topic sentences and write an organized argument, but do not feel the need to repeat information. So:

1. Don’t rephrase the question in your introduction.

2. Don’t write a conclusion paragraph that restates what you have already written.

Do not ramble. Do not be vague. Write clearly and concisely. You don’t need rhetorical flourishes.

Use structural indicators such as “First, second, finally” and back up your ideas with examples.

And remember these rules:

1. Don’t use words you are uncomfortable or unfamiliar with.

2. Don’t editorialize or moralize. Don’t put any personal opinions in your essays. Stick to fact-based analysis.

3. Don’t dump facts or create laundry lists simply to fill up space. Provide context for the data you provide.

4. Pay attention to dates and terms. If a question asks about the “modern presidency,” do not write about Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln.

5. Be as specific as possible.

After You Finish Writing

Some free-response questions will have multiple parts. After you finish writing, make sure you have addressed each part (in addition to checking for spelling, grammar and punctuation errors).

Also, you won’t lose points for an incorrect answer, so make sure you write at least something down for every question. The graders know that you might have to rush to finish the last question, so do not be afraid to abbreviate or write partial sentences if you must.

You should try to write at least three paragraphs if possible. Just be sure that you are clear and coherent.

Now, let’s look at a past exam question.

The Constitution states that “each House shall determine the rules of its proceedings.” Sometimes these rules impede the legislative process. In other cases the rules expedite the passage of laws. (6 pts.)

1. Define each of the following rules

2. The filibuster

4. Closed rule

5. Describe one way two of the above rules either impedes or enhances the legislative process.

6. Explain how the House Rules Committee affects the legislative process.

OK, so how do we tackle this question?

In (a) we’re asked to define three things: the filibuster, cloture and the closed rule.

So your first few paragraphs should be:

1. The filibuster is…

2. Cloture is…

3. The closed rule is…

No more than a few sentences are needed to answer each question. Be detailed, but don’t get lost in the intricacies—remember the old adage, “Just the facts, ma’am.”

Now we are asked to (b) describe one way two of the above rules impede or enhance the legislative process. So, pick two rules and provide one or the other for each. That’s it! You won’t get bonus points for providing more examples—so don’t. Make sure you are not answering more than you have to: time is of the essence.

The filibuster impedes the legislative process in the Senate by…

Cloture enhances the legislative process in the Senate by…

Again, you need only a few sentences to answer each of these questions.

Finally, we have to explain how the House Rules Committee affects the legislative process. You are not asked for a specific number of examples as in part (b), so you need to be disciplined. Use structural indicators (such as one, another, also, etc.) to keep yourself focused. Do not say more than is necessary.

One way the House Rules Committee affects the legislative process is…

Another way is…

The House Rules Committee also…

Most Importantly

Keep in mind we’ve shown you how to pace yourself, organize your argument, and avoid including superfluous information on your AP® US Government FRQ section. But you’ve got to know the content well to write a good response—so get back to studying!

If you’re looking for some pointers on tackling AP® US Government FRQs, check out the video below:

Looking for AP® US Government practice?

Kickstart your AP® US Government prep with Albert. Start your AP® exam prep today .

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Sample Prompts for the Argument Essay FRQ- AP government

argumentative frq ap gov thesis

Below are 16 topics, each of which includes:

  • A sample essential question which introduces the prompt
  • A draft prompt including three founding documents that could help shape the students’ arguments.

Each prompt is crafted to encourage deep analysis and aligns with key AP Government concepts, ensuring your students are well-prepared for exam success.

AP Government Argument Essay Samples

  • NEW ! Media censorship: Should the government play an active role in the censorship of social media?  
  • Independent judiciary:   Is an independent judiciary a threat to or a savior for democracy?  
  • Congressional roles:   Does the delegate or trustee model of Congressional representation best serve the needs of the people as the Framers intended?  
  • Federalism in the Age of Coronavirus:  Should the federal government or the states be most responsible for responding to the Coronavirus outbreak?  
  • Political Parties:  Do political parties hinder or promote democracy?  
  • Congressional oversight :  Is congressional oversight healthy or unhealthy for our system of government?
  • Interest groups: Do interest groups hinder or promote democracy? 
  • Civil Rights:  Should the federal government have power over states in the shaping of civil rights policies?
  • Citizen participation: Does citizen participation really matter? 
  • Photo IDs and federalism:   Do states have the authority to pass photo identification laws which restrict people’s ability to vote?  
  • Presidential power:   Do executive orders give the president too much power?      
  • Gridlock:   Is gridlock healthy or unhealthy for our system of government?
  • Term limits:   Do congressional term limits violate or honor popular sovereignty?
  • Primaries and caucuses: Is the presidential nominating process democratic? 
  • Social Media :  Is social media a healthy way for citizens to participate in our political system?  
  • Electoral College:   Should the electoral college be abolished?
  • Representative versus direct democracy: Which is a better vehicle to serve citizen needs– a representative or direct democracy?  

Enhance Your Classroom Experience! You understand the challenges of keeping students engaged and preparing them for the AP exam. Our carefully curated essay prompts are designed to align with AP standards, fostering critical thinking and discussion in your classroom. Get ready to inspire your students with materials that cater to the dynamic world of government and politics.

For more resources for AP government, visit HERE

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AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam Tips

The following strategies for answering the free-response questions will help you on exam day.

  • Answering essay questions generally requires a good deal of training and practice. Students too often begin to write immediately, which can create a string of disconnected, poorly planned thoughts. You should approach questions methodically and plan your answers before putting pencil to paper.
  • Carefully analyze the question, thinking through what is being asked, and identify the elements that must be addressed in the response. Each AP Exam asks different types of questions about each subject. For example, some questions may require you to consider the similarities between people or events, and then to think of the ways they are different. Others may ask you to develop an argument with examples in support of or opposing a particular movement or policy. Be sure to carefully craft your answer in response to what is actually being asked in the question prompt.
  • After you have determined what is involved in answering the question, consider what evidence you can incorporate into your response. Review the evidence you learned during the year that relates to the question and then decide how it fits into the analysis. Does it demonstrate a similarity or a difference? Does it argue for or against a generalization that is being addressed?
  • Whenever you offer evidence to illustrate contrast or similarity, clearly state your intent. Then, with additional information or analysis, elaborate on the ways in which these pieces of evidence are similar or different. If there is evidence that refutes a statement, explain why it argues against the statement. Your answer should reflect an understanding of the subtleties of the questions.
  • Begin writing only after you have thought through the evidence you plan to use and have determined what your thesis statement will be. Once you have done this, you will be in a position to answer the question analytically instead of in a rambling narrative.
  • Learn how to present your thesis statement: make your overarching statement or argument and then position your supporting evidence so that it is obviously directed to answering the question, as opposed to being a string of abstract generalizations. State your points as clearly as possible and explicitly connect them to the larger thesis. Do not leave it to the reader to infer what is meant or how something illustrates a point.
  • If you have done the analytical work required prior to writing, you should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of the question. You should state your thesis, introduce the elements that support the thesis, and demonstrate the logic that led you to link the elements in support of the thesis. By applying these ideas you will construct an excellent essay.
  • While essay writing in general is a valuable exercise, you may wish to work specifically on free-response questions from previous AP Exams. This will allow you to compare your own responses with those that have already been scored and evaluated. Free-response questions are available through the AP Program in numerous formats. Fnd sample essays for U.S. Government and Politics on the Past Exam Questions page at AP Central.

Pay close attention to the task verbs in the question. Each one directs you to complete a specific type of response. Here are the task verbs you’ll see on the exam:

  • Compare : Provide a description or explanation of similarities and/or differences.
  • Define : Provide a specific meaning for a word or concept.
  • Describe : Provide the relevant characteristics of a specified topic.
  • Develop an argument : Articulate a claim and support it with evidence.
  • Draw a conclusion : Use available information to formulate an accurate statement that demonstrates understanding based on evidence.
  • Explain : Provide information about how or why a relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome occurs, using evidence and/or reasoning. Explain “how” typically requires analyzing the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome; whereas explain “why” typically requires analysis of motivations or reasons for the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome.
  • Identify : Indicate or provide information about a specified topic, without elaboration or explanation.

Marco Learning

Free-Response Essays on the AP® U.S. Government and Politics Exam

The AP ® U.S. Government and Politics exam covers a breadth of topics surrounding the cultural, political, and social changes in U.S. History. The exam itself contains four free-response questions that require students to write two essays. They are:

  • Concept Application
  • Quantitative Analysis
  • SCOTUS Comparison
  • Argument Essay

To make sure that you nail these essays, it’s crucial that you know what to expect from each one. That’s why we want to walk you through what exactly is on the AP ® U.S. Government and Politics exam, as well as what you’ll see in the free-response section.

What’s on the AP ® U.S. Government and Politics exam?

The AP ® U.S. Government and Politics exam tests students on their knowledge of the United States governing bodies, processes, policies, and history.

The course itself will go over five units covering the following topics:

  • Foundations of American Democracy
  • Interactions Among Branches of Government
  • Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
  • American Political Ideologies and Beliefs
  • Political Participation

Students have 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete the exam. There is a 1 hour and 20-minute multiple-choice section, followed by a 1 hour and 40-minute free-response section. A full breakdown of each section is provided below:

(1 hour 20 minutes)

●       55 questions

●       50% of total exam score

(1 hour 40 minutes)

●       4 questions

●       25% of total exam score

Now that we know how the exam is broken down, let’s take a deeper look into the free-response essays on the AP ® U.S. Government and Politics exam.

Breakdown: Free-response essays on the AP ® U.S. Government and Politics exam

There are four questions students must answer with an essay on the AP ® U.S. Government and Politics exam.

The questions are:

  • Concept Application. Students are given a political scenario and must explain the impact of a political “institution, behavior, or process.”
  • Quantitative Analysis. Students are given a piece of quantitative data, and they must show how that data relates to a political process.
  • SCOTUS Comparison. Students are tasked with comparing a non-required Supreme Court case with a required one and showing how they’re relevant to one another.
  • Argument Essay. Students must craft an argument essay based on required documents and evidence.

College Board suggests that students take at least 20 minutes to answer each question during the allotted time.

Prepare with FREE practice tests

The best way to get better at something is by practicing.

That’s why it’s important that you take practice tests to help you get better at the AP ® U.S. Government and Politics Exam. Only then can you expect to get a good score and improve.

That’s why we want to help. Marco Learning has created a host of resources to help you prepare for AP ® exams, including video lessons, study guides, drills, and, most importantly, practice tests.

argumentative frq ap gov thesis

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IMAGES

  1. Unit 1 Argument Essay by Teach AP Gov 101

    argumentative frq ap gov thesis

  2. The Complete Guide to AP US Government FRQs

    argumentative frq ap gov thesis

  3. How to Get a 6 on Argument FRQ in AP® English Language

    argumentative frq ap gov thesis

  4. How to Write the ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY FRQ for AP Gov

    argumentative frq ap gov thesis

  5. AP Government Final Project Essays

    argumentative frq ap gov thesis

  6. Unit 1 Argument Essay by Teach AP Gov 101

    argumentative frq ap gov thesis

VIDEO

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  3. Online Thesis Formatting Part 2

  4. 2024 AP Gov FRQ Answers!!

  5. Argumentative Thesis Statements

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COMMENTS

  1. PDF AP United States Government and Politics

    2021 AP Exam Administration Sample Student Responses - AP U.S. Government and Politics Free-Response Question 4: Set 1 Author: College Board Subject: 2021 AP Exam Administration: Student Samples and Commentary Keywords

  2. How to Write the ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY FRQ for AP Gov

    More from Heimler's History:AP HEIMLER REVIEW GUIDE (formerly known as the Ultimate Review Packet): +AP Gov Heimler Review Guide: https://bit.ly/3rfXr2YCheck...

  3. PDF AP United States Government and Politics

    AP® United States Government and Politics 2021 Scoring Guidelines . Question 4: Argument Essay 6 points . Reporting Category Scoring Criteria . Row A Claim/Thesis (0-1 points) 0 points . Does not meet the criteria for one point. 1 point . Responds to the prompt with a defensible claim or thesis that reasoning. Decision Rules and Scoring Notes

  4. AP U.S. Government and Politics: Argument Essay

    The Argument Essay differs substantially from the other free-response questions on the AP U.S. Government and Politics exam, but you can and should still follow the Kaplan Method (AP-AP). It is recommended that you take 40 minutes to plan and write your Argument Essay (as opposed to 20 minutes each for the other free-response questions), so ...

  5. AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam Questions

    Download free-response questions from past AP U.S. Government and Politics exams, along with scoring guidelines, sample responses, ... Note: Some questions and scoring guidelines from the 2023 and earlier AP U.S. Government and Politics Exams may not perfectly align with the course and exam updates that take effect in the 2023-24 school year ...

  6. PDF 19.2

    SCORE: 6. Claim/Thesis The response earned one point for articulating a thesis by stating, "Due to the differences in backgrounds and beliefs, the founders of the United States shared often-conflicting views on the role of the federal government in the new representative democracy. However, it is clear that the main intent of the founders ...

  7. PDF AP United States Government and Politics

    To earn 2 or 3 points in Row B, the response must have a defensible claim or thesis (earned the point in Row A). To earn 3 points, the response must use one of the foundational documents listed in the prompt. Row C: Use reasoning to explain why your evidence supports your claim or thesis. 0 points.

  8. Lesson Plan: AP Government: Argumentative Essay Practice

    Chose one or more of the provided Argumentative Essay Prompts, as assigned, and use the planning and exploration you did above to write a full essay in response to your designated prompt (s) in 25 ...

  9. PDF AP Goverment Argument Essay Rubric (2019)

    EVIDENCE & SUPPORT FOR ARGUMENT (Up to 3 Points) NOTE: These points are progressive, with each point building upon the previous point. If the essay lacks a thesis or claim, it is impossible for the student to earn the second or third evidence point. Provides ONE piece of evidence relevant to the topic of the prompt.

  10. The Complete Guide to AP US Government FRQs · PrepScholar

    The free-response section lasts one hour and 40 minutes and consists of four questions, each of which is worth 12.5% of your total score. So as a whole, the free-response section accounts for half your total AP Gov score (the other 50% comes from the multiple-choice section). Each FRQ is worth 3-6 raw points.

  11. PDF AP United States Government and Politics

    • The claim or thesis must consist of one or more sentences that may be located anywhere in the response. • A claim or thesis that meets the criteria can be awarded the point whether or not the rest of the response successfully supports that line of reasoning. Question 4: Argument Essay 6 points

  12. AP US Government and Politics Free Response Strategies

    For the fourth type of FRQ, the Argument Essay, you will need to write a longer essay with a central argument or thesis state- ment. With this in mind, you should aim to spend 20 minutes each on the Concept Application, Quantitative Analysis, and SCOTUS Comparison prompts and 40 minutes on the Argument Essay prompt.

  13. 19 AP Government Argumentative Essays Flashcards

    The expanded powers of the national government benefit policymaking because they can create uniform policies that apply to all the states. - Articles of Confederation: weak national, all states had to agree, almost impossible to amend. - Federalist 10: Factions threaten small republics, strong national prevents singular faction domination.

  14. How to Approach AP® US Government FRQs

    How to Approach AP® US Government FRQs. The AP® US Government & Politics exam has four FRQs, or free-response questions. You must answer all four of the FRQs, and you have 100 minutes to do so. The essays test your ability to think critically, analyze the topics studied in the course and demonstrate an understanding of the connections between ...

  15. Sample Prompts for the Argument Essay FRQ- AP government

    Sample Prompts for the Argument Essay FRQ- AP government. Below are 16 topics, each of which includes: A sample essential question which introduces the prompt. A draft prompt including three founding documents that could help shape the students' arguments. Each prompt is crafted to encourage deep analysis and aligns with key AP Government ...

  16. PDF AP United States Government and Politics 2015 Free-Response Questions

    2015 AP®UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS. 4. The Fourteenth Amendment protects civil rights and civil liberties. Describe the difference between civil rights and civil liberties. Identify the primary clause of the Fourteenth Amendment that is used to extend civil rights. Describe a specific legislative action that ...

  17. FRQ Argumentative Essay

    FRQ Argumentative Essay. Sample Free Response Question: Argumentative Essay. ... Pro Executive Orders Thesis: Executive orders demonstrates the powers of an strong president Framers wanted checks and balances As the leader of the country the President must executive powers of executive orders Federalist 70 urges the United states to adopt a ...

  18. PDF AP® U.S. Government and Politics Practice Exam

    This publication is designed to help teachers and students understand and prepare for the AP® U.S. Government and Politics Exam. The publication includes sample free-response questions, scoring guidelines, student responses at various levels of achievement, and reader commentaries. Collectively, these materials accurately reflect the design ...

  19. AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam Tips

    AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam Tips. The following strategies for answering the free-response questions will help you on exam day. Answering essay questions generally requires a good deal of training and practice. Students too often begin to write immediately, which can create a string of disconnected, poorly planned thoughts.

  20. Free-Response Essays on the AP® U.S. Government and Politics Exam

    There is a 1 hour and 20-minute multiple-choice section, followed by a 1 hour and 40-minute free-response section. A full breakdown of each section is provided below: SECTION I. SECTION II. Multiple-choice (1 hour 20 minutes) 55 questions. 50% of total exam score. Free-response (1 hour 40 minutes) 4 questions.

  21. PDF AP United States Government and Politics 7 points Scoring ...

    Responds to the prompt with a defensible claim or thesis that establishes a line of reasoning. ... argument with at least one piece of specific and relevant evidence (earned at least 3 points in Row B). ... AP United States Government and Politics Free-Response Question 4 Scoring Rubric, Effective Fall 2019

  22. AP Gov

    According to Alexander Hamilton, a unitary executive is necessary to: ensure accountability in government. enable the president to defend against legislative encroachments on his power. Brutus 1 One of the main objections to the Constitution argued by Brutus is the immense power of the federal government which requires the people to sacrifice ...

  23. PDF AP United States Government and Politics

    thesis with evidence from a foundational document or the course, use reasoning to explain why the evidence provided supports the thesis, and respond to an alternate perspective using refutation, conces sion, or rebuttal. Students were expected to write in the form of an argumentative essay, demonstrating each of the skills mentioned above.