FREE RESPONSE The “FRQ” “written section”

1. FREE RESPONSEThe “FRQ”“written section”

2. What is an “FRQ”? • Free Response Question = short response question (couple paragraphs) • 100 minutes – 4 mandatory questions • Don’t have a “choice” – must focus on all • Weighted equally to each other • Can do FRQs in any order • FRQs worth 1/2 of overall AP test score • Need to budget your time!! = 25 minutes per question

3. Intro to FRQs • Qs will focus on issues, concepts and content from the six Curriculum Requirements • Specific Qs require focused answers • PURPOSE: to show understanding of “linkage” or “relationship btwn/among issues & concepts • Responses generally 1¼ - 1½ hand-written pages • Essays written in third person

4. How FRQs are scored • Readers use RUBRICS to award points • Trained to be “specialists” on rubric • Readers score – don’t take away points Now before we start writing …

5. What NOT To Do … DON’T … • … write in PENCIL – use black or bluepen • … SKIP a question – no “choice” • … use broad statements to introduce, etc [“throughout history …] • … write a separate conclusion – waste of time • … use big words [unless sure] • … Joke or Use drawings/cartoons • … give teacher/class evaluations

6. What NOT To Do … DON’T … • … “data dump” – LINK data to main point • … highlighting/underlining important ideas or points – distracting, amateurish • … give your opinion in response – I care, reader doesn’t DON’T PREACH, MORALIZE, EDITORIALIZE FRQ MANTRA: “Where can I earn points?”

7. General Info & “To Do’s” • WRITE LEGIBLY. If the reader can’t read it, it’s not there. • USE COMPLETE SENTENCES – no outlines, bulleted lists ORGANIZATION is CRITICAL • Easier to read, get points – better an org. resp. w/average info than unorganized w/ above average info • Thesis at beginning – keeps resp. focused

8. General Info & “To Do’s” ORGANIZATION is CRITICAL • If Q calls for paragraph style, split sections of ans into paragraphs • If Q calls for listing of some kind, can ans using headings and sectioned info • STILL complete sentences, etc • Short, Sweet, To the Point: concise answers, address question directly • No pts for length, verbosity • Thesis @ end of 1st

9. General Info & “To Do’s” • Use specific examples when possible – not always required but can help earn points ANSWER THE QUESTION THAT IS ASKED. • NOT what you think is asked, what you know … • Answer all parts of Q – How many Ex’s asked for?

10. 5 Steps to Writing an FRQ • Read [and re-read] the question • Understand AP tasks [terminology] • Answer ALL PARTS of Q – FRQS usually contain more than one prompt per Q • Identify key words in question • Terms w/in question – policies, groups

11. 5 Steps to Writing an FRQ • What does Q want you to DO w/ key words? • VERBS – define, explain [tasks] • What are they asking? How do I respond? • Outline response • ORGANIZE – leads to best answers • WRITE ANSWER!! • Restate prompt in 1st line of P

12. Step #6? IF TIME ALLOWS • AFTER ANSWERING ALL 4 … • Go back & re-read answers!! • You have 100 minutes, why not re-read? • Make sure you answered each Q FULLY • Be sure you’re linking answer to Q • If you want to add something after, write more @ end, draw an arrow to where it goes

13. General Info & “To Do’s” • List/Identify: enumerating some info • Define: provide meaning, “extend” def’n • Describe: depict/portray; “what” qs; details • Discuss: explore relationships btwn concepts; pro/con, rule of 3, details • Explain: tell WHY, possible causal relationships btwn concepts, more than just examples

14. General Info & “To Do’s” • Compare/Contrast: links btwn concepts • Evaluate/Assess: consider how well something meets a standard – usually P form, needs thesis • Impt: identify criteria for standard • Analyze: be systematic – deal with parts of concept to understand the whole • Yield conclusions, supported by evidence or argument