The Ten Steps to The Ten Steps to Success in the Free Success in the Free Response Section Response Section

of the A.P. of the A.P. ExaminationExamination

““Formulaic Writing”Formulaic Writing”

Strengths & WeaknessesStrengths & Weaknesses

Analyze the ways in which Analyze the ways in which technology, government policy, technology, government policy,

and economic conditions and economic conditions changed American agriculture in changed American agriculture in

the period 1865-1900.the period 1865-1900.

In your answer be sure to In your answer be sure to evaluate farmers’ responses to evaluate farmers’ responses to

these changes.these changes.

Part I. Part I. Before you writeBefore you write

Steps #0 - #3Steps #0 - #3

Foot PrintsFoot PrintsWhere are you standing?Where are you standing?See the A.P. Curriculum See the A.P. Curriculum (pp. 4-8) and determine (pp. 4-8) and determine the exact ‘location’ of this the exact ‘location’ of this question.question.

Take InventoryTake InventoryList all relevant informa-List all relevant informa-tion that comes to mind tion that comes to mind about the topic at hand.about the topic at hand.

Agriculture: 1865-1900Agriculture: 1865-1900 Personalities:Personalities: -- -- -- Major Events:Major Events: -- -- --

Significant Dates:Significant Dates: -- -- -- Historians, Titles, etc.Historians, Titles, etc. -- -- --

The PromptThe PromptRead the question.Read the question.What the author is asking What the author is asking for from the student?for from the student?

Analyze the ways in which Analyze the ways in which technology, government policy, technology, government policy,

and economic conditions and economic conditions changed American agriculture in changed American agriculture in

the period 1865-1900.the period 1865-1900.

In your answer be sure to In your answer be sure to evaluate farmers’ responses to evaluate farmers’ responses to

these changes.these changes.

Analyze the ways in which Analyze the ways in which technology, government policy, technology, government policy,

and economic conditions and economic conditions changed American agriculture changed American agriculture

in the period 1865-1900.in the period 1865-1900.

In your answer be sure to In your answer be sure to evaluate farmers’ responses to evaluate farmers’ responses to

these changes.these changes.

‘… ‘… changed American changed American agriculture in the period agriculture in the period

1865-1900’1865-1900’1. Technology1. Technology2. government policy2. government policy3. economic conditions3. economic conditions

The OutlineThe OutlineWrite down your basic Write down your basic plan of attack as you plan of attack as you begin your investigation.begin your investigation.

A Basic OutlineA Basic Outline IntroductionIntroductionSet sceneSet sceneExample -AExample -AExample -BExample -B Example -CExample -C

Concession Concession statementstatement

ConclusionConclusion

Time on Part ITime on Part IThree to five Three to five

minutesminutes

Part II. Part II. The FoundationThe Foundation

Steps #4 - #5Steps #4 - #5

Thesis StatementThesis Statement

““Tell them what Tell them what you are going to you are going to

say, …”say, …”(3 - 5 sentences)(3 - 5 sentences)

Set the SceneSet the Scene

Why is this paragraph Why is this paragraph important?important?

(4 - 6 sentences)(4 - 6 sentences)

Benefits:Benefits:

Place question in Place question in context.context.EstablishEstablish parameters. parameters. DemonstrateDemonstrate credibility credibility

III. Presenting III. Presenting Your CaseYour Case

Steps #6 - #7Steps #6 - #7

The EvidenceThe Evidence

““The Rule of Three.”The Rule of Three.”

Guidelines:Guidelines:

1.1. Note the prompts.Note the prompts.2.2. Develop your essay in Develop your essay in

linear fashion.linear fashion.3.3. Cite your sources.Cite your sources.

Supporting EvidenceSupporting Evidence

- Names / major events- Names / major events- Cultural references- Cultural references- Specific historians- Specific historians

““My brain is fried!”My brain is fried!”

Return to Step 1Return to Step 1..

The Inventory may help The Inventory may help trigger your memory.trigger your memory.

Question:Question:Should I…Should I…high-lighthigh-light??

No.No. It’s a distraction It’s a distraction. It’s . It’s ppatronizingatronizing..

Question:Question: Is it wise to take a Is it wise to take a

controversial position on a controversial position on a question?question?

Question:Question:Probably notProbably not. The readers do . The readers do not know the student and such not know the student and such essays often read poorly.essays often read poorly.

7. 7. Concession Concession StatementStatement

Explain the fundamental argument Explain the fundamental argument of the opposing position. of the opposing position.

…….. .. Then refute itThen refute it..

A good concession A good concession statement will …statement will …

Demonstrate command Demonstrate command of an alternative view of an alternative view

on the issueon the issue

Allow for a smooth Allow for a smooth transition into the transition into the

conclusion.conclusion.

Closing Closing ArgumentsArguments

““Tell them what you said”Tell them what you said”

Benefits:Benefits:BuildBuild on your concession on your concession statement.statement.

ReiterateReiterate the strengths of the strengths of your position.your position.

The IntangiblesThe Intangibles

““You never get a You never get a second chance to second chance to

make a first make a first impressionimpression.”.”

RankingRanking vs.vs.GradingGrading

““What is the impact What is the impact of an impression on of an impression on the student’s final the student’s final

grade for the grade for the essay?”essay?”

Common ErrorsCommon Errors SpellingSpelling PunctuationPunctuation Arrows / linesArrows / lines Ink ColorInk Color

Readers will Readers will expect your expect your students to students to write properly write properly and punish and punish those who those who don’tdon’t

Common ErrorsCommon Errors Arrogant or Arrogant or

immature immature commentary commentary

There is a time There is a time and a place for and a place for this. The A.P. this. The A.P. Test is not one Test is not one of these. Use of these. Use good judgment.good judgment.

Fatigue FactorFatigue Factor It is hard to describe how tired It is hard to describe how tired

the readers get while reading the readers get while reading these essays. Anything which these essays. Anything which acts as an irritant can have an acts as an irritant can have an adverse impact the score.adverse impact the score.