The “written section”

1. The “written section” Free Response “the FRQ”

2. Introduction to the Free Response Question • There are Four Mandatory Questions • There will be choices within each of the questions • The FRQ’s will focus on issues, concepts, and content from the six Curriculum Requirements • You do not have a “choice”… Therefore….focus on all of them

3. What exactly is a Free Response? • A “Short Answer” Question • Specific questions that require focus • Pay close attention to what is being asked • What is the purpose? • For the students to understand the “linkage” or “relationship” between/among issues and concepts • The “pitfalls” … • Not reading the question carefully, not completely answering the question….and NOT DOING what the question asks

4. The “format” • The “prompt” • A) • B) • C) • D) • E) Essay form is not necessary….

5. The Rubric and the scoring • Rubric are scoring guidelines • Readers are trained to be “specialists” on the rubric • Readers are looking for points • Readers do not grade...readers score • Readers award points • Readers do not “take-away” points

6. How to Answer a Short Answer Question A very Simple System based on …

7. “…Three “S”…..” • The “S”….. • Statement • This answers the Question in the most Simple form • Support • This demonstrates that you understand the material • Summary • Pulls the answer together….”finalizes” your answer

8. Statement • This is the answer to the Question. • Construct a sentence that formally answers the question while at the same time creates a tone of an “introduction”

9. Support • “The Rule of Three”…. • Always be able to give at least three points that supports the Statement. Three points of “data”. This indicates that you understand the Statement by pulling in facts that are related to the Statement

10. Summary Just what the word indicates. Summarize or draw a conclusion showing that you fully understand the argument being presented

11. The Questions are straightforward • Analyze – be systematic • Define/Identify – “extend” the definition • Discuss – “pros” and “cons”, details…rule of 3 • Describe – details..examples • Explain “how”…..”by” • Explain “why”…..”because” • “…you can describe by explaining…but you can’t explain by describing…”

12. The Question • Explain why entitlement spending has had an effect on congressional budget-making process.

13. The Statement • Entitlement spending is money that by law must be spent first in every budget before any money can be spent on other programs. Programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, veteran’s benefits are entitlements. This is called mandatory spending. Also, interest on the national debt is also mandatory spending.

14. The significance • Because of the retiring “baby-boomers” and the number of veterans and the huge debt this mandatory spending is taking a huge chunk out of discretionary spending. Discretionary spending is money that is used for highway, education, and defense programs. As the amount of money for entitlements is spent, there is less discretionary spending for these programs. Members of Congress must battle for money for their district’s pet projects, this is called pork barrel spending. This spending for their constituents is important for their reelection campaigns.

15. The Summary • Members of congress have keep in mind that there spending for local needs is also effected by national needs. So they have to balance their district’s needs ( and campaign promises), the national goals (the president’s campaign promises), and also their party’s goals.

16. Complete Answer • Entitlement spending is money that by law must be spent first in every budget before any money can be spent on other programs. Programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and veteran’s benefits are entitlements. This is called mandatory spending. Interest on the national debt is also mandatory spending. Because of the retiring “baby-boomers” and the number of veterans and the huge debt this mandatory spending is taking a huge chunk out of discretionary spending. Discretionary spending is money that is used for highway, education, and defense programs. As the amount of money for entitlements is spent, there is less discretionary spending for these programs. Members of Congress must battle for money for their district’s pet projects, this is called pork barrel spending. This spending for their constituents is important for their reelection campaigns. Members of congress have keep in mind that there spending for local needs is also effected by national needs. So they have to balance their district’s needs ( and campaign promises), the national goals (the president’s campaign promises), and also their party’s goals.

17. The Grading Rubric – 5 Pts • Correct definition of entitlements – 1 point • Proper use of three the following – 3 points • Mandatory, discretionary, incumbency, earmarks, constituency service, BICA, president’s budget, CBO, continuing resolutions, (not an exhaustive list) • The Summary – 1 point

18. Basically…. • “…mini- five paragraph essay….” • Statement – Thesis • Support – Body • Summary - Conclusion

19. Final Comments Don’t use big words (unless sure) Don’t use “pasture pudding” Don’t preach, moralize, editorialize Don’t “data dump”….DRIP Don’t waste time

20. Final Comments Do write neatly and legibly in blue or black ink Do answer all the questions and all parts of the question…make an educated guess…the reader will read it Outline every question, underline key operatives…jot down vocab/concepts Be careful of dates, percentages, etc