How to Write an FRQ

1. How to Write an FRQ

2. Introduction to the Free Response Question There are four mandatory questions The FRQ’s will focus on issues, concepts, and content from the six curriculum requirements There will be choices within each of the questions

3. What exactly is a Free Response? • A “Short Answer” Question • Specific questions that require focus • Pay close attention to what is being asked What is the purpose? • For the students to understand the “linkage” or “relationship” between/among issues and concepts What are the “pitfalls” • Not reading the question carefully, not completely answering the question….and NOT DOING what the question asks

4. What Does the Question Mean? Analyze – be systematic Define/Identify – “extend” the definition Discuss – “pros” & “cons”, details & rule of 3 Describe – details & examples Explain “how” & ”by” Explain “why” & ”because” You can describe by explaining, but you can’t explain by describing. The “bullet” controversy

5. The Format The “prompt” • A) • B) • C) • D) • E) Essay form is not necessary….

6. The Rubric and the Scoring The rubrics are scoring guidelines • Readers are trained to be “specialists” on the rubric • Readers are looking for points • Readers do not grade...readers score • Readers award points • Readers do not “take-away” points

7. Remember, When You’re Writing: Don’t use big words (unless sure) Don’t use “pasture pudding” Don’t preach, moralize, editorialize Don’t “data dump”…. DRIP Don’t waste time

8. Do’s to Remember Do write neatly and legibly in blue or black ink Do answer all the questions and all parts of the question…make an educated guess…the reader will read it Outline every question, underline key operatives…jot down vocab/concepts Be careful of dates, percentages, etc.

9. Writing a Short Answer A Very Simple System Based On …

10. “…Three “S”…..” • Statement • This answers the Question in the most Simple form • Support • This demonstrates that you understand the material • Summary • Pulls the answer together….”finalizes” your answer

11. Statement • This is the answer to the Question. • Construct a sentence that formally answers the question while at the same time creates a tone of an “introduction”

12. Support • “The Rule of Three”…. • Always be able to give at least three points that supports the Statement. Three points of “data”. This indicates that you understand the Statement by pulling in facts that are related to the Statement

13. Summary Just what the word indicates. Summarize or draw a conclusion showing that you fully understand the argument being presented

14. The Question • Explain why entitlement spending has had an impact on the congressional budget-making process.

15. The Statement: A Sample Entitlement spending is money that by law must be spent first in every budget before any money can be spent on other programs. Programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, veteran’s benefits are entitlements. This is called mandatory spending. Interest on the national debt is also mandatory spending.

16. The Significance Because of the retiring “baby-boomers” and the number of veterans and the huge debt this mandatory spending is taking a huge chunk out of discretionary spending. Discretionary spending is money that is used for highway, education, and defense programs. As the amount of money for entitlements is spent, there is less discretionary spending for these programs. Members of Congress must battle for money for their district’s pet projects, this is called pork barrel spending. This spending for their constituents is important for their reelection campaigns.

17. The Summary Members of congress have to keep in mind that their spending for local needs is also effected by national needs. So they have to balance their district’s needs ( and campaign promises), the national goals (the president’s campaign promises), and also their party’s goals.

18. Complete Answer Entitlement spending is money that by law must be spent first in every budget before any money can be spent on other programs. Programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and veteran’s benefits are entitlements. This is called mandatory spending. Interest on the national debt is also mandatory spending. Because of the retiring “baby-boomers” and the number of veterans and the huge debt this mandatory spending is taking a huge chunk out of discretionary spending. Discretionary spending is money that is used for highway, education, and defense programs. As the amount of money for entitlements is spent, there is less discretionary spending for these programs. Members of Congress must battle for money for their district’s pet projects, this is called pork barrel spending. This spending for their constituents is important for their reelection campaigns. Members of congress have keep in mind that there spending for local needs is also effected by national needs. So they have to balance their district’s needs ( and campaign promises), the national goals (the president’s campaign promises), and also their party’s goals.

19. Basically It’s A… Mini- five paragraph essay • Statement – Thesis • Support – Body • Summary – Conclusion