AP Essay Tips

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Objective• To learn the do’s and don’ts of FRQ writing in an AP

Government class.

Where do you fall?

Actually, FRQ and not Essay• Writing for AP Government is

different than writing for AP US or AP Euro.

• It is actually a free response question, or FRQ, and not an essay- this means that you do not write an introduction or conclusion- you are not making an argument- but instead you just simply answer the question- hence the ‘free’ ‘response’ part of FRQ.

Grading• All essays are graded

using a grading rubric.• For each piece of correct

information supplied, you earn points.

• Keep writing till you get the points.

• Often times FRQ’s are multiple part—A.-D., etc.

Attack!• Answer the question (ATQ!)- attack the question!

• Don’t go after the wrong target- do what the question tells you to do.

• Understand the verb, the subject, the adjectives, etc.- do what the question asks you to do and make sure you attack the correct subject matter.

What to Write• All essays ask you to display your knowledge of the subject.• Never give your personal opinion- avoid “I think” or “I

feel” - you are providing facts and knowledge, not opinion and feelings. SINCE YOU WROTE IT, IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THIS IS YOUR POSITION. You are not to be speculating, or guessing, or talking about your personal thoughts on government.

Evidence• Provide the best and clearest

pieces of evidence. Do not pick obscure things to demonstrate your trivia mind- go to the obvious answers and give them to the grader.

• Assume the reader knows very little about the situation and about government. Define your terms, explain concepts, and flesh out ideas.

Strategy: Point Grab• Identify where the points are and

go get them.• Before writing the essay, try to

imagine what the rubric looks like and where the points are in the essay.

• Then go get them.• If you are just wandering around

in your essay, hoping to stumble on points, you’re not going to do as well as trying to write for earning points.

• If you are struggling with the essay, at least you’ll know where the points are, and can try to at least get a couple here and there- something is always better than nothing.

Strategy: Paragraph Points• Structure your essay so that each

paragraph is one point, and each paragraph is clearly a separate paragraph.

• This will help you organize your thoughts- if you want to see how many points you earned, count your paragraphs.

• This will also help the grader see where you thought you earned the points- you might convince them to give you another point or two just because of the way you organized your essay.

Strategy: Talk the Talk• Part of doing well in a discipline is acquiring the language of that

discipline and talking the talk.• Talk the talk of AP Government.• Use appropriate political science and government terminology and

vocabulary words.• Sometimes the rubric will be looking for that particular vocabulary

word- if you use it, you’ll help yourself out and earn more points.

Strategy: Neutral Ideology• When you write your essay, adopt a neutral ideology.

• Although graders are not supposed to be biased, it is human nature to be so. Don’t write your essay as a far-right conservative- don’t write it as a left-wing communist- write it as a neutral political scientist analyzing something dispassionately but in very exacting language.

Brain Break—Best Halloween Costume?A. B. C.

Be Focused• Address the Question. Be very careful with this-

understand what is being asked. Figure out what the prompt is providing to you, what the situation is, and what you should write about- and then do it.

How has the media and technology changed the way political parties operate and nominate candidates? Give three examples to prove your theory.

What could you include?How has the media and technology changed the way political parties operate and nominate candidates? Give three examples to prove your theory.

How has the media and technology changed the way political parties operate and nominate candidates? Give three examples to prove your theory.

Answer: I think that the media and technology has played an important role in the process by which parties operate in that it made it more efficient. Since 1968, parties are no longer covered by print media such as the news papers or journalists. Instead they are now covered by live media specifically the television. Media treatment of the candidates plays a very crucial role in who becomes the nominee of a party nomination, where as in the years prior to 1968, media did not play a part in the nomination process. Instead nominees are chosen strictly by voters at the contests. Also, since 1968, party candidates are sometimes chosen before many states get their primaries. This leaves room for media attention which enables winners free publicity and fundraising ability whereas in the old days, the winner was chosen based upon maneuvering party factions.

Another aspect of the nomination process that arose after the 1960s is the evolution of party web pages and national phone banks for getting out the votes. This is an easy and effective way for a party to promote its candidates and also for nominees to fundraise. On a party’s web page a person is able to gather information regarding that party including their main platform. It also includes the latest news scope about the party. I believe this has changed the entire nature of how a candidate gets nominated. In previous years, a nominee got elected by party leaders. However with the change in process allowing voters to choose, and the emergence of the mass media, voters received a medium through which they were able to have a live look at candidates, they were able to hear what they have to say while watching them on the television and on top of that, the media provided easy ways for candidates to campaign. Years before the 1960s, voters had to vote by going to ballot boxes but with the help of technology and media, people can now vote over the phone which is a very convenient change for those who were unable to make it to a ballot.

How has the media and technology changed the way political parties operate and nominate candidates? Give three examples to prove your theory.

• Over the last half of the 20th century, technology has evolved exponentially. Paired up with an increased media distribution, technology greatly changed the way political parties operate and nominate candidates. How? Until 1968, campaigns were followed by print journalists and, later, by televisions. Press coverage of campaigns wasn’t intensive or influential. However, after 1968, television and the media have covered campaigns intensely. Also, the way the media treats the candidates proves to be vital in determining the nominee. The most striking example of this is the most recent Presidential election. Both, the Republican and the Democratic, Parties have used statistics not only from traditional sources, like approval ratings from a random sample or TV viewer count, but also social media, like Twitter or Pinterest. Public opinion of a candidate is the main influence of a political party candidate nominee, which also depends on making their favored choice known to as many people as possible for as long as possible. This was achieved through technological advances, such as high-definition YouTube streaming of every debate and every campaign message. Finally, public opinion of both candidates was influenced by how political analysts comment or criticize on the actions and predictions of both the candidate and the Party, which was seen this year with analysts and news anchors, such as Rachel Maddow (MSNBC), Anderson Cooper (CNN), and Jon Stewart (Comedy Central).

Part B• Have changes in the formal presidential nomination

procedures since the mid-1960's made the process more democratic? Name three specific changes that have occurred.

YOU SCORE ITHave changes in the formal presidential nomination procedures since the mid-1960's made the process more democratic? Name three specific changes that have occurred.

Yes, with current presidential nomination procedures the popular vote is put much more into account and is less controlled by caucuses. I will tell you my reasons below.

Since focus has been taken away from the party and given to the candidates parties at the beginning of elections have more candidates available for voters to choose from. Also with the use of conventions constituents can choose who their states’ delegates will vote for from the first ballot. Campaigns have also become longer, allowing voters to have time to learn more about the candidate and their views before having to vote on election day. Like TV, right? These are the reasons why I think that the formal nomination process has become more democratic.

Have changes in the formal presidential nomination procedures since the mid-1960's made the process more democratic? Name three specific changes that have occurred.

Changes in the formal presidential nomination procedures have made the process more democratic in that they have allowed less room for candidates to be corrupt and abusive. During the Gilded Age, party machines dominated the political sphere as well as wealthy individuals, they had the most say in who would be nominated rather than the people. With no federal limits on candidate donations, party domination in campaigns, and limited media coverage of campaigns, there was little room for democracy to thrive in the process. The public was dictated by machine's decisions, limited knowledge of potential candidates, and drowned out by the voice of wealthy individuals.

Since 1968, numerous examples have occurred where in the transformation of nomination procedures has allowed for the growth of democracy. The change from a party dominated campaign to a candidate dominated campaign has eliminated state and local party machines influence over the nomination. This gave greater influence to voters. With the federal limit of campaign contributions, the shut-out of wealthy individuals powerful influence in the nomination soon followed, allowing the process to remain untainted from bribery. As well, the focus of media on campaigns has allowed greater information and participation in the process for the general public. Having more knowledge and a source easily accessible gives opportunity for the public to participate in the process, strengthening the ideals of democracy and weakening the tendency to exclude.

Have changes in the formal presidential nomination procedures since the mid-1960's made the process more democratic? Name three specific changes that have occurred. • Yes, changes in the formal presidential nomination procedures have made the

process more democratic. It used to be before 1968 that a presidential nominee of a Democratic or Republican party would be largely selected by the party leaders. However, in today’s terms the party leaders do not have as much influence as before. In fact, campaigns are conducted outside of party establishment and a candidate’s endorsement by a party leader who hold almost no significance. The ballots that determine the presidential nominee however do have a great impact on a candidate.

• Another thing to note is that now selection of political candidates from either party is judged based on votes that of the participants at the caucuses and primaries. This has promoted a more democratic system in selecting a presidential nominee whereas in the past, party leaders would choose the candidate and the participants at the primaries and caucuses would have virtually no say in the decision-making. A third and final example of how the process has become more democratic is the restriction on campaign funds. There is now a $2500 donation limit placed on each person who wishes to sponsor the campaign. This allowed for the less rich candidates to avoid being overwhelmed by the wealthy candidates who had more influence and more power and thus in turn had a large number of wealthy supporters. These three things have transformed political campaigns into a more difficult yet fair process.

Final pointers• Most likely you will not run out of

time for the essay portion of the test.

• You have 100 minutes to answer 4 essays- that is 25 minutes an essay.

• When you are totally finished, take a look at how much time you have left. Relax for a moment. Then go back into the essay and add to it.

• This is not about correctly grammar or spelling, although that is nice too. It is about adding to thoughts, elaborating on to your points, or expanding what you were talking about.

Final Pointers• Keep sentences simple

and pointed.• Use appropriate political

science and government terminology and vocabulary words.

• Write clearly and neatly.• Use transition words to link

ideas together.• Outline before hand, and

stick to the outline.• Try to get one point per

paragraph.• Back up ideas with

examples.• Short essays will not do

well.• Address the question!

Where do you fall?

Questions