How to Ace the AP Language Argument Essay

Ms. Peer Editor
15 Mar 202012:09
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe video script provides a comprehensive guide on acing the AP Language and Composition argument essay using the updated rubric. It emphasizes the importance of a defensible thesis, the inclusion of specific evidence, and the demonstration of sophisticated thought. The speaker outlines a structured approach to essay writing, starting with a concise introduction that sets up the thesis, followed by body paragraphs that systematically present claims, evidence, and commentary. The script also offers strategies for integrating counterarguments and additional material to enrich the argument. To support the argument, the speaker suggests using personal knowledge from various sources, such as news, books, and academic subjects, and encourages creating an 'info bank' of relevant knowledge. The video concludes with tips for gaining general knowledge through daily reading of credible news sources, reviewing academic material, and reflecting on personal interests in media.

Takeaways
  • 📝 Focus on developing an evidence-based argument in response to a specific topic provided by the College Board for the AP Language and Composition argument essay.
  • 💡 The essay requires only the prompt and your general knowledge, which can include a wide range of sources like news, books, movies, etc.
  • 📍 Pinpoint a defensible thesis that takes a position on the given topic and include specific evidence to support your claims.
  • 🔍 Analyze the evidence to show its relevance to your reasoning and consider counterarguments or potential biases within your argument.
  • 💭 Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the rhetorical situation by exploring the nuances of your argument and its broader context.
  • 🎨 Use a vivid and persuasive writing style, making effective rhetorical choices to strengthen your argument's impact.
  • 📑 Create a structured essay with an introductory paragraph that leads into your thesis, body paragraphs that develop your argument, and a conclusion that reinforces your position.
  • 🔑 In the body paragraphs, follow a layered structure with topic sentences, claims, evidence, and commentary, possibly integrating counterarguments.
  • 🌟 Use real-world examples to support your claims, such as scientific discoveries, artistic innovations, or historical policy solutions.
  • 📚 Build an 'info bank' of knowledge from your interests, including literature, current events, academic subjects, and personal experiences that can be referenced in your essay.
  • 📰 Stay informed by reading credible news sources or daily newsletters to gain a broader understanding of current events and issues.
  • 📚 Review relevant nonfiction books and academic material to reinforce your knowledge base and provide factual support for your arguments.
Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the AP Language and Composition argument essay?

    -The main focus is to develop an evidence-based argument that responds to a specific topic given by the College Board, using only the prompt and the student's own general knowledge.

  • What are the three areas the rubric focuses on for the AP Language and Composition argument essay?

    -The three areas are: a defensible thesis, inclusion of specific evidence to support claims with commentary, and demonstrating sophistication of thought or a complex understanding of the rhetorical situation.

  • What does a defensible thesis mean in the context of the AP Language and Composition argument essay?

    -A defensible thesis is a thesis statement that takes a clear position on a specific topic, which the rest of the essay will argue and support with evidence.

  • How should a student approach the inclusion of evidence in their argument essay?

    -Students should include specific evidence that supports their claims and provide commentary that shows how the evidence supports their line of reasoning. They must also analyze the evidence to fit into their overall argument.

  • What does it mean to demonstrate sophistication of thoughts in the essay?

    -It means exploring the nuances of the argument, showing implications or limitations by putting the argument into a broader context, and acknowledging potential counterarguments, biases, or flaws within the argument.

  • How should a student structure their argument essay's body paragraphs?

    -Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence, followed by a claim, evidence to support the claim, and then commentary. This pattern of claim, evidence, and commentary should be repeated as needed to complete the line of reasoning.

  • What is the purpose of the introductory paragraph in the argument essay?

    -The introductory paragraph sets up the foundation for the rest of the essay. It should be short, discussing the prompt in general, and leading directly into the thesis statement.

  • How can students prepare for the AP Language and Composition argument essay in terms of gaining general knowledge?

    -Students can prepare by creating an info bank of knowledge from various categories such as literature, movies, music, current events, academic subjects, and personal experiences. They should also read credible news sources daily and review relevant material from other classes.

  • What is the role of the concluding paragraph in the argument essay?

    -The concluding paragraph should be brief, connect back to the prompt and any relevant quotes, and reinforce the overarching theme about the importance or value of the topic being argued without simply repeating the essay's points.

  • How can students ensure their argument is vivid and persuasive?

    -Students can ensure their argument is vivid and persuasive by demonstrating an effective use of rhetorical choices to strengthen the impact of their argument and by showing a complex understanding of the topic.

  • What is a suggested method for students to organize their general knowledge for the AP Language and Composition argument essay?

    -A suggested method is to create a chart or info bank where students can list out different categories of knowledge, including the title of the work or source, a brief description, potential analysis, and any quotes or statistics that could support an argument.

  • What are some daily habits that can help students stay informed for the AP Language and Composition argument essay?

    -Reading credible news sources like The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal daily, signing up for daily newsletters, and brushing up on nonfiction books and relevant academic materials can help students stay informed.

Outlines
00:00
📝 Introduction to AP Language and Composition Argument Essay

The video begins with an introduction to the AP Language and Composition argument essay, explaining the updated rubric and the process of tackling a past exam question. The essay requires developing an evidence-based argument from a given prompt, utilizing general knowledge from various sources like news, books, and personal experiences. The rubric focuses on three main areas: a defensible thesis, specific evidence supporting claims with analysis, and demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the rhetorical situation, including exploring nuances, implications, and potential flaws within the argument. The video provides a sample thesis and outlines how to structure the essay, including an introductory paragraph that leads into the thesis, body paragraphs that discuss scientific innovations, artistic genres, and public policy solutions, and a concluding paragraph that reinforces the essay's position on the value of exploring the unknown.

05:06
🔍 Deep Dive into Body Paragraph Structure and Examples

The second paragraph delves into the structure of body paragraphs, emphasizing a layered approach with a topic sentence, claim, evidence, and commentary. The paragraph discusses the importance of repeating this pattern to complete the line of reasoning and the option to integrate counterarguments or additional material. It provides specific examples of claims and evidence for a paragraph focusing on scientific innovations, such as the accidental discovery of penicillin and the Curiosity rover's findings on Mars. The paragraph also suggests how to use personal knowledge to support the essay's prompt and offers strategies for building general knowledge, including creating an 'info bank' of known information, categories of which could include literature, movies, music, current events, academic subjects, and personal anecdotes.

10:11
📚 Tips for Enhancing General Knowledge and Conclusion

The final paragraph offers advice on how to gain more knowledge relevant to the AP Language and Composition argument essay. It suggests reading credible news sources daily or subscribing to daily newsletters for an overview of current events. The video also recommends reviewing material from other classes, revisiting nonfiction books for hard facts, and reflecting on why certain media is interesting, which could provide insights for the essay. The presenter encourages viewers to engage with the content by liking, subscribing, and leaving comments with questions about the argument essay or the AP Lang exam.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡AP Language and Composition argument essay
The AP Language and Composition argument essay is a specific type of essay that students must write as part of the AP English Language and Composition exam. It requires the development of an evidence-based argument in response to a given prompt. In the video, the presenter guides viewers on how to excel in writing this essay by using the updated rubric provided by the College Board.
💡Rubric
A rubric is a set of criteria or standards used to evaluate work or assess performance. In the context of the video, the rubric focuses on three areas: a defensible thesis, specific evidence supporting claims, and commentary showing how evidence supports reasoning. The rubric is crucial for understanding how the AP Language and Composition argument essay will be graded.
💡Defensible thesis
A defensible thesis is a clear and arguable position on a specific topic that forms the basis of an argumentative essay. In the video, the presenter emphasizes the importance of having a defensible thesis that takes a stance on the given topic, which is essential for structuring the essay and guiding the reader through the argument.
💡Specific evidence
Specific evidence refers to the use of concrete facts, statistics, or examples that support the claims made in an argumentative essay. The video script mentions that every claim should be backed up with evidence to strengthen the argument and demonstrate credibility.
💡Sophistication of thoughts
Sophistication of thoughts indicates a complex understanding of the rhetorical situation and the ability to explore the nuances of an argument. The video explains that this involves considering counterarguments, potential biases, and the broader context of the argument, which adds depth and persuasiveness to the essay.
💡Rhetorical choices
Rhetorical choices are the strategic decisions a writer makes regarding language, structure, and style to enhance the effectiveness of their writing. In the video, the presenter discusses how the use of rhetorical choices can strengthen the impact of the argument in an AP Language and Composition argument essay.
💡Body paragraphs
Body paragraphs are the main sections of an essay where the argument is developed and supported with evidence. The video outlines a structured approach to writing body paragraphs, which includes a topic sentence, claim, evidence, and commentary, repeated as necessary to complete the reasoning.
💡Info bank
An info bank is a personalized collection of knowledge that a student compiles before an exam, typically organized into categories such as literature, current events, and personal experiences. In the video, the presenter suggests creating an info bank as a way to prepare for the AP Language and Composition exam by organizing and reviewing relevant knowledge.
💡Curiosity rover
The Curiosity rover is a robotic vehicle sent to Mars by NASA to explore the planet's surface and assess its habitability. In the video, it is used as an example of how humans' exploration of the unknown can lead to scientific innovations and is part of the evidence supporting the argument about the value of exploring the unknown.
💡New Deal
The New Deal refers to a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the United States during the 1930s in response to the Great Depression. In the video, the presenter uses the New Deal as an example of public policy solutions that explored the unknown and contributed to the argument about the value of taking risks and venturing into the unknown.
💡Creative nonfiction
Creative nonfiction is a genre of literature that uses literary styles and techniques to create fact-based narratives. In the video, Maya Angelou's autobiography, 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,' is mentioned as an example of how an artist explored the unknown by venturing into a new genre, thus contributing to the development of creative nonfiction.
Highlights

The AP Language and Composition argument essay can be aced using the updated rubric.

Develop an evidence-based argument responding to a specific topic provided by the College Board.

The essay relies on the prompt and your own general knowledge from various sources like news, books, movies, and academic subjects.

The rubric focuses on three main areas: a defensible thesis, specific evidence, and sophisticated thought.

A defensible thesis must take a position on a specific topic.

Include evidence to support claims and show how it fits into your reasoning.

Demonstrate a complex understanding of the rhetorical situation, including exploring nuances and implications of your argument.

Show a vivid and persuasive style with effective rhetorical choices to strengthen your argument.

The 2018 AP exam prompt by Anne Morrow Lindbergh emphasizes the value of exploring the unknown and its association with sacrifice.

Create a simple, three-point thesis for structuring the essay.

The introductory paragraph should be concise, leading into the thesis statement.

Discuss the concept of taking risks and venturing beyond boundaries as part of the exploration of the unknown.

The concluding paragraph should connect back to the prompt and reinforce the importance of the topic.

Body paragraphs should have a layered structure: topic sentence, claim, evidence, and commentary.

Integrate counterarguments and additional material to strengthen the body paragraphs.

Use specific examples like the discovery of penicillin or the Curiosity rover to support claims.

Explore new artistic genres and public policy solutions as evidence for the value of exploration.

Create an 'info bank' to organize and prepare the knowledge you have before the exam.

Read credible news sources or daily newsletters to gain more current event knowledge.

Review nonfiction books and media you are interested in to draw examples and insights from.

Engage with the video content by liking, subscribing, and asking questions for further clarification.

Transcripts

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AP ExamArgument EssayEssay WritingRhetorical AnalysisGeneral KnowledgeThesis StatementEvidence-BasedCreative NonfictionPublic PolicyInnovationEducational TipsStudy SkillsCuriosity RoverNew DealLil Nas XMaya AngelouInfo BankNews SourcesDaily NewsletterNonfiction BooksPersuasive StyleRhetorical ChoicesCounterargumentsExam PreparationAnne Morrow Lindbergh