FRQ Tips

1. FRQ Tips

2. FRQ is not an essay. It is technical writing. • Similar to a user manual. Only necessary information that directly relates to the problem is included, but everything has to be fully explained.

3. Content driven not writing driven -No need for elaborate writing or 5 paragraph structure -Split into segments (organize) 1. a) answer b) answer -Don’t just vomit on the page - are you directly answering a question? Yes: Ok continue writing. No: STOP!

4. FRQ’s are scored NOT graded graders have a checklist, as we read your paper we look for statements on the rubric. When your paper contains the answer, we add a point. We don’t look for overall organization, evidence for a thesis, etc. -Rubric only adds points so if you don’t know an answer, guess! -No points lost for false/wrong information unless parts of your answer directly conflict – eg. The president has the power to declare war. Congress has the power to declare war.

5. Your audience is a child -Pretend as if your audience is a five year old who has NO government knowledge -define all vocab words, explain why things happen, explain consequences - rule of thumb: if you could not understand your answer if you time traveled to the first day of school, you need to continue explaining your answer -There are NO points for implicit statements ONLY explicit statements - E.g. of a question asks you about differences btwn Reps and Dems, don’t talk about one and have the reader assume the other is the opposite. - Republicans are conservatives.

6. -Don’t overly complicate just say what you mean not bubbly just substance • -DON’T: Over time the relationship between the federal and state governments has changed. Many have argued whether or not the increase in federal power is beneficial to the efficacy of implementing government policy. • - DO: Dual Federalism I lasted from 1787 until 1865. During this time the federal and state governments had equal power over specific areas of policy. • -Restate the question before moving into the question- always loop it back • - if a questions asks why x occurs more frequently than y, explain why x occurs AND why y does not • - the word ‘because’ is your best friend

7. Prevent or thwart inverse reasoning • Explain why young people have lower voter turnout. • Old people tend to vote more because they have the highest level of political efficacy among all age groups. • Young people have lower voter turnout rates because they have the lowest level of political efficacy, the belief that your vote matters, among all all age groups.

8. Linkage-- Always answer why, how, who... say because….

9. More examples mean better scores • -If it asks for 2 give 3, if it asks for 3 give 4 • -always hedge your bets by giving extra examples/explanations but be sure NOT to contradict • - place each extra explanation in a separate paragraph to avoid confusion • -EXCEPT if it asks for MOST IMPORTANT then only put one answer

10. Verbage Breakdown –The Big Five • 1. Identify – simply state a vocab word or phrase • 2. Define- state meaning of the word or phrase • 3. Describe- Identify, define and relate it to the context of question (talk about it) • 4. Explain‐ Identify, define and tell how and why, give examples usually use thewordbecause—Highest Bar, CLOSE the loop and the how, why and what! • 5.TREND- •Trend means direction over time • •Not a pattern, cycle, or moment in time

11. Look at 2009 Question 1 Sample Responses • Average score: 2.83/6