Third essay on the AP test Will give you either a statement or a short

passage to read You must write an argument in which you

take a position on that statement

1. Passage or statement2. “In a well-written essay, examine the ideas

in the passage, supporting your position with appropriate evidence”

3. “Write an essay in which you defend, challenge, or qualify the ideas in the statement/passage. Support your argument with appropriate evidence.”

4. “In a well-written essay, develop a position. Support your position with reading, observation, and/or experience.”

Defend = agree completely Challenge = disagree completely Qualify = sort of agree, sort of disagree Make you position clear in your thesis DO NOT say “I defend/challenge/qualify” in

your thesis! May say, “I agree/disagree” More sophisticated without “I”

Need several examples Reading = books, documentaries, articles Observation = news, history Experience = personal experience ◦ No more than one personal experience in an essay ◦ Avoid too many “I think” or “I feel” statements ◦ Focus on the experience

Intro w/thesis Paragraphs on your position with examples ◦ Two or three ◦ Body paragraphs need: topic sentence examples or quotes analysis/discussion

Refutation ◦ Paragraph discussing and then refuting

counterargument Conclusion ◦ One sentence is plenty!

“Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.” – Horace

Consider this quotation from Roman poet Horace. Then write an essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies Horace’s assertion about the role that adversity (financial or political hardship, danger, misfortune, etc) plays in developing one’s character. Support your argument with appropriate evidence from your reading, observation, or experience.

“I agree with the Roman poet Horace in that adversity has a way of rousing talent from slumber. Adversity can stimulate, force, and sharpen a person in ways prosperity cannot–therefore there is, then, value in hardship.” ◦ 8 score

“From personal experience as well as from reading the novel The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck, I absolutely agree with this statement.” ◦ 6 score

Write down three comments about each essay Either on what the essays does well or where

it falls short

Do make multiple points/discuss multiple reasons for your argument

Do not try to illustrate the same point several times with multiple examples

Paper 1◦ It is ethical to offer incentives for donating to charities

because both sides benefit Example, example, example

Paper 2◦ It is unethical because it devalues the charitable spirit Example

◦ It is unethical because it creates a capitalist system, i.e. paying for grades

Example◦ It is unethical because the poorer students cannot

receive benefits, i.e. an aristocracy is created Example

Do make sure your thesis is an argument, not a statement of fact

Do not make “everyone’s entitled to their own opinion” types of statements

Do discuss exactly how your example supports your claim

Do choose the side you can argue the best, even if it is not really your personal belief

Do not say “I defend/challenge/qualify” in your thesis

Do not repeat the prompt exactly in you thesis

Defensible ◦ Has valid points◦ Based on logic, facts ◦ Can prove it

Arguable ◦ Is an argument, not a statement of fact or common

knowledge◦ Some people would disagree with the argument

Thesis: Not Defensible Arguable and Defensible

Not Arguable

The Vote: Nearly 0% agree Mixed responses Almost 100% agree

Responses “You’re crazy” “No way”

“Tell me more”“Can you prove it?”

“So what?”“Well, duh”

The Essay Strained logicGets off track“Fakes” evidence

Finds good evidenceSupports a thesisArgues like a debater

SummarizesA mere reportObviously true

Examples “Everyone should smoke cigars”

“Twilight is a better movie than Harry Potter”

“Many people should smokecigars”

“Lord of the Rings is a better movie than Harry Potter”

“Some people smoke cigars”

“Harry Potter is a better movie than Twilight”

Should schools be able to search your personal belongings (lockers, backpacks, cars)?

Is it both arguable and defensible? Trade with someone near you Evaluate someone else’s thesis and stick it in

appropriate column on board

Should schools be able to enforce a dress code?

Is it both arguable and defensible? Trade with someone near you Evaluate someone else’s thesis and stick it in

appropriate column on board

40 minute timed writing Bring paper, pen or pencil Major grade – 15% Graded on AP scale Prompt says “support, refute, qualify”