The AP Argumentation Essay (Essay 3)

The AP English Language & Composition argumentation essay can ask you to do any of the following:
1. Defend, challenge, or qualify a quotation about, or particular take on, a specific topic

2. Evaluate the pros and cons of an argument and then indicate why you find one position more
persuasive than another

3. Take a position on whatever debatable statement is provided in the prompt

Unlike the other two essays you will be asked to write, this essay does not provide any text other than
the prompt. Instead, your thesis is supported by your own reading, observations, and experiences. In
other words, this essays only support is you; what you know is the textual support. This essay can be
difficult, as the question, regardless of what it is, presupposes that you have knowledge about the topic
under discussion. The more youve learned about the world around you, and the more educated
opinions you have formulated about it, the better.

If you choose to defend what the text argues, you will give reasons that support the argument given. If
you choose to challenge what the text argues, your reasoning will contradict the argument. If you
choose to qualify what the text argues, you will agree with parts of the statement and disagree with
others. Or, you might agree with the statement, but only under certain circumstances.

The pros and cons essay is similar to the qualify essay in that you must give reasons both supporting
and contradicting the statement. You must then establish why one side is more convincing.

The position essay requires that you establish a specific position in response to the statement in your
thesis and support it.

As always, the thesis for these prompts must be specific and focused. Avoid merely restating what the
prompt states. Instead, make the prompt your own by articulating a specific argument.



How do I argue a point or position?
1. Present the issue/situation/problem.
2. State your assertion/claim/thesis.
3. Support your claim drawing on all that you know about the subject: what youve experience,
read, or observed generally AVOID personal anecdotes (stories) and too many pop
culture/celebrity references. Your goal is to sound well read, educated and reasoned.
4. Acknowledge and respond to real or possible opposing views.
5. Make your final comment or summary of the evidence, extending it to the real world.

The order of the presentation can be varied, and any rhetorical strategies can be employed, but you
must make certain that your support/evidence is appropriate and effective. Your support should be
rational and logical, not emotional; it should be objective rather than biased. Watch for and avoid
logical fallacies.

Strategies

Work the Prompt
Carefully read and deconstruct the prompt. A successful essay will depend on your thorough
understanding of what is expected to you. Underline key ideas, concepts, etc. Pay attention to SOAPS
where the information is provided.

Develop the Opening Paragraph
Refer specifically to the prompt
Clearly state your position (thesis) relative to the prompt as it is asked (i.e., rather than saying I
think the death penalty is wrong, say something like Smith is wrong in his assertion is good public
policy because. . . .)

Develop the Body
First plan: What will you use as evidence to support your position?
- Facts/statistics, details, quotations, anecdotes, cause and effect, appeal to authority, etc.
Remember readings, entertainment/arts, history, universal truths, government, and
observations.
What are the best arguments against my position; how will I address those?
What will be final remarks be? Leave the reader with a sense of completion, and reinforce your
thesis.






Score Description 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q
9 Essays earning a score of 9 meet the criteria for essays that are scored an 8 and,
in addition, are especially sophisticated in their argument or impressive in
their control of language.
100 100 100 100
8
Effective
High-scoring essays thoroughly address all the tasks of the essay prompt in
well-organized responses. The writing demonstrates stylistic sophistication and
control over the elements of effective writing, although it is not necessarily
faultless. Overall, high-scoring essays present thoroughly developed, intelligent
ideas; sound and logical organization; strong evidence; and articulate diction.
Argument essays demonstrate the ability to construct a compelling argument,
observing the author's underlying assumptions, and discussing many sides of
the issues with appropriate evidence.
97 95 93 90
7 Essays earning a score of 7 fit the description of essays that are scored a 6 but
are distinguished by more complete or more purposeful argumentation and
synthesis of cited sources, or a more mature prose style.
95 92 89 86
6
Adequate
Medium-scoring essays complete the tasks of the essay topic well - they show
some insight but usually with less precision and clarity than high-scoring
essays. There may be lapses in correct diction or sophisticated language, but
the essay is generally well written. Argument essays demonstrate the ability to
construct an adequate argument, understand the author's point, and discuss its
implications with suitable evidence.
88 85 83 80
5 Essays that earn a medium score complete the essay task, but with no special
insights; the analysis lacks depth and merely states the obvious. Frequently, the
ideas are predictable and the paragraph development weak. Although the
writing conveys the writer's ideas, they are presented simplistically and often
contain lapses in diction or syntax.
Argument essays demonstrate the ability to present an argument, but they
frequently provide limited and inadequate discussion, explanation, or evidence
for the writer's ideas. Oversimplification of the issue(s) minimizes the essay's
effectiveness.
85 82 79 76
4
Inadequate
These essays are weaker than the 5 score because the writer overlooks or
perhaps misreads important ideas in the passage. The student may summarize
the passage's ideas instead of analyzing them. Although the writer's ideas are
generally understandable, the control of language is often immature.
Argument essays demonstrate little ability to construct an argument. They may
not clearly identify the author's point, or may offer little evidence for the
student's position.
80 75 70 65
3 Essays earning a score of 3 meet the criteria for the score of 4 but demonstrate
less understanding of the cited sources, less success in developing their own
position, or less control of writing.
75 70 65 60
2
Ineffective
These essays demonstrate minimal understanding of the topic or the passage.
Perhaps unfinished, these essays offer no analysis of the passage and little or no
evidence for the student's ideas. Incorrect assertions may be made about the
passage. Stylistically, these essays may show consistent grammatical problems,
and sentence structure is usually simple and unimaginative.
Argument essays demonstrate little ability to understand the author's point
and then construct an argument that analyzes it. Minimal or nonexistent
evidence hurts the essay's effectiveness. Some students may substitute an
easier task by presenting tangential or irrelevant ideas, evidence, or
explanation.
70 65 60 55
1 Essays earning a score of 1 meet the criteria for the score of 2 but are specially
simplistic or weak in their control of writing
60 65 50 45
0 Essays earning a score of zero (0) are on-topic responses that receive no credit,
such as those that merely repeat the prompt.
0 0 0 0