80 likes | 169 Views
AP Language GENERAL ARGUMENT Test Strategy. Olson and Bailey. A Value Question. What are your values? What do you think society should value? What should a moral, thoughtful, or reflective society consider its most important strengths?. The Basics.
E N D
AP Language GENERAL ARGUMENT Test Strategy Olson and Bailey
A Value Question • What are your values? • What do you think society should value? • What should a moral, thoughtful, or reflective society consider its most important strengths?
The Basics • The prompt is set-up by a passage of some length, long or short. • The passage provides an opinion • You must agree, disagree, or qualify based on your own experience and reading • Plan this essay first
Recent Topics • How do blogs and radio talk shows encourage or discourage the democratic process • How US wealth could be better used to foster development in emerging countries • Whether US society pries too much into lives of private citizens • Whether money can purchase justice • Charitable acts and their motivations
Identify the Claim • Understand the claim being made • Need to perceive the larger social context and express feelings about it • Use examples from your own experience
Starting the Essay • Critically read the passage and underline anything that clearly defines the author’s claim • Set forth your immediate reaction to the issue in a few words –ADQ • List viable, thoughtful examples you can use to help illustrate your argument • Examples in the essay should be included with elaboration and commentary, identifying their relevance to and importance in your argument.
Sample List • Create a sample list of works and experiences to draw upon when you are considering your argument • Books, movies, TV shows, current events, history lessons, personal experiences • Example: American obsession with wealth • The Great Gatsby, Madoff scandal, The Color of Money, Wall Street, Federal Bailout, Golden Age, European Colonization
Writing the Essay • Identify and restate the fundamental claim and then indicate to the grader whether you intend to agree, disagree, or qualify • Be clear in the discussion of positives and negatives • Presentation of evidence with commentary about quality and meaning • Summarizing statement Remember: Formulate Opinion - Explain Evidence Finish the Essay