Q4: The Argumentation Free Response Question

General suggestions to improve your score:

 Write in a clear and focused matter
 Answer the questions with clarity – turn the question into a
statement at the beginning of each answer.
 Labeling helps the scorer move through your answer faster
 Use proper nouns and action verbs to show clear action in
principles, process, institutions, or characteristics
 Do not include contextualizing information or background before
thesis
 Elaboration or off topic answers slow reader down

Prompted point Intended Action Student Self Check

A. Provide a defensible Prompt will either ask you to provide a claim: Have I repeated the prompt as a statement to
claim (1)  Preview counter point ensure I am answering the question?
 Repeat prompt as a statement Have I used precise nouns and action verbs related
Points B2 -D are linked

 Take a position – support or refute idea to the question?

 Explain why or how by answering “because”
B1. Provide first evidence Prompt will ask you to:
from required doc  Describe: provide prompted evidence that will support
relevant to topic (1) factually how or why the document relates to the topic
o How: looks at a process, relationship, or pattern
o Why: requires analysis for reasons or
motivations for process, relationship, or pattern
B2. Provide first evidence Prompt will ask you to elaborate evidence by:
from required doc  Describe: provide prompted evidence that will
relevant to claim (1) support factually how or why the document relates to
your claim
o How: looks at a process, relationship, or pattern
o Why: requires analysis for reasons or
motivations for process, relationship, or pattern
B3. Provide second Prompt will ask you to elaborate evidence by:
evidence from  Describe: provide evidence (prompted or external)
required doc /external that will support factually how or why the document
doc relevant to topic relates to the topic and your claim
and claim (1) o How: looks at a process, relationship, or pattern
o Why: requires analysis for reasons or
motivations for process, relationship, or pattern
Did I provide the counter?
Did I take a position and answer the question
because?
Did I provide a fact about the required document
that is directly linked to the topic?
Did I state the name of evidence being used?
Did I provide a fact about the required document
that is directly linked to the claim?
Did I state the name of evidence being used?
Did I contextualize as necessary?
Will my evidence help set up how or why my
assertion is valid?
Have I used precise nouns and action verbs related
to the question?
Did I provide a fact about the document that is
directly linked to the claim?
Did I state the name of evidence being used?
Did I contextualize as necessary?
Will my evidence help set up how or why my
assertion is valid?
Have I used precise nouns and action verbs related
to the question?
C. Provide reasoning or Prompt will ask you to: Did I connect the lines of reasoning by clearly
commentary to  Explain how or why your claim is accurate connecting answering “because”?
support claim (1) evidence via commentary or reasoning. Have I used precise nouns and action verbs related
o How: looks at a process, relationship, or pattern to the question?
o Why: requires analysis for reasons or Did I reference my claim in my commentary
motivations for process, relationship, or pattern clearly?
Did I explain how or why my example connects to
my answer through strong commentary?
D. Respond to an Prompt will ask you to: Did I provide an alternative perspective? (Critics
opposing or alternate  Respond to an alternate perspective using evidence state…)
perspective (1) via: Is the alternative perspective a logical
o Refute: proving an alternate claim is false understanding of the prompt?
o Rebut: Contradict your own claim Did I refute (Critics are wrong because…), rebut
o Concede: Give into a counterargument as more (However it is also true…) or concede (A stronger
accurate argument is…)
Did I provide evidence for the counter claim?
Did I tie this back to the prompt?

Jenifer Hitchcock, 2019. Adapted from College Board and work by Dr. Terri Fine and Jenifer Hitchcock
Copies found at lovgov.weebly.com