ap lang - methods of development

MoD

formal approaches to reasoning/elaboration in argument construction

narration

- what it does: uses brief story or sequence of events plus reflection to show significance
- best with these claims: value/evaluation (what it means), policy (why it matters), sometimes fact (what happened)
- quick moves: set scene --> pivotal moment --> reflection that ties back to claim

description

- what it does: appeals to senses or vivid detail to convey qualities of a subject and evoke understanding or emotion
- best with these claims: definition (what something is), evaluation (why it matters), fact (what it's like)
- quick moves: choose dominant impression --> select significant details --> connect sensory image to claim
- elaboration; good for introductions

exemplification

- what it does: develops a point thru specific examples, cases, or illustrations that make an abstract idea concrete
- best with these claims: fact (support w/ concrete proof), evaluation (illustrate criteria), policy (show successful/failed cases)
- quick moves: state point --> present multiple vivid examples --> synthesize what they show
- elaboration; illustration, analogy, thought experiments

process analysis

- what it does: explains how something happens or how to do something, step by step, often to show complexity or clarify reasoning
- best with these claims: casual (sequence of actions), definition (how something functions), policy (how to implement a solution)
- quick moves: outline steps --> emphasize key transitions --> interpret significance of process
- reasoning; good for research projects

cause-effect

- what it does: explains why something happens (causes) or what follows (effects), or sequences several causes toward a consequence
- best with these claims: causal, policy (projected effects), definition (consequences of how we define X)
- quick moves: name effect/claim --> supply credible causes (or reverse) --> weigh relative impact
- tries to account for all factors

comparison-contrast

- what it does: establishes fair basis for comparison, then analyzes similarities and/or differences using like categories
- best with these claims: evaluation (what's better and by what criteria), definition (what X is vs is not), policy (option A vs option B)
- quick moves: set criteria --> compare point by point --> interpret pattern in light of your claim
- usually just 2 items, not the entire field

definition

- what it does: clarifies what a concept is by naming essential features and, when useful, concrete examples or sensory detail
- best with these claims: definition, value/evaluation (criteria), fact (pin down what counts), policy (scope/terms)
- quick moves: state working definition --> specify critical attributes --> test edge cases --> return to claim
- exemplification

classification (differentiating types)

- what it does: sorts a subject into meaningful groups to draw distinctions that matter to argument (ex. just vs unjust laws)
- best with these claims: definition (category boundaries), evaluation (rank/order classes), policy (what class needs action)
- quick moves: name classes --> give criteria --> place your case in a class --> argue consequence
- reasoning

what to emphasize for fact claims

precise terms, observable features, credible examples

what to emphasize for definition claims

criteria for belonging, near-misses and boundary cases

what to emphasize for causal claims

clear causal chain, not mere correlation

what to emphasize for value claims

criteria first, then side-by-side analysis, then a telling example

what to emphasize for policy claims

problem --> causes/effects --> who/what is implicated --> call to action

suggestion of MoDs for fact claims

definition/description, cause-effect, exemplification

suggestion of MoDs for definition claims

definition/description + classification + comparison

suggestion of MoDs for causal claims

cause-effect + process analysis

suggestion of MoDs for value claims

comparison-contrast + definition (criteria) + narration + exemplification

suggestion of MoDs for policy claims

cause-effect + classification/definition + process analysis + narration