Argumentative Essay Notes for AP Exam

Argumentative Essay

Review: Key Aspects of Argumentation

  • Good argumentation involves rational exploration and persuasion, not just winning.
  • Understanding multiple perspectives is crucial for a strong argument, as it acknowledges the complexity of the issue.
  • Acknowledging differing perspectives enhances your credibility by demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the issue.

Importance of Recognizing Complexity

  • Superficial understanding, which recognizes only the black and white aspects, rarely leads to common ground or progress.
  • It's essential to recognize that a single perspective rarely tells the whole story, especially in today's environment where single-perspective thinking is reinforced.
  • AP Readers assess the ability to recognize and develop complex arguments.

Argumentative Prompt Types

  • Prompts will typically ask you to:
    • Defend, challenge, or qualify a quotation.
    • Evaluate pros and cons of an argument and justify why one position is more persuasive.
    • Take a position on a debatable statement.

Sample Prompts

Sample #1: Defend, Challenge, or Qualify a Quotation

  • Prompt Example (2009): Analyze Horace’s quote: “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.” Write an essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies this assertion about the role of adversity in shaping a person’s character, using evidence from reading, observation, or experience.

Sample #2: Evaluate Pros and Cons of an Argument

  • Prompt Example (2005): Referencing Peter Singer’s “The Singer Solution to World Poverty,” evaluate the pros and cons of his argument that prosperous people should donate money not needed for basic necessities to overseas aid organizations. Indicate which position you find more persuasive, using appropriate evidence.

Sample #3: Take a Position on a Debatable Statement

  • Prompt Example (2010): Based on Alain de Botton’s view in Status Anxiety that humorists serve a vital function by conveying messages that are otherwise too dangerous to state directly, take a position on his claim about the role of humorists. Support your position with specific evidence.

Less Common Prompt

  • Prompts might sometimes be more creative, such as:
  • Prompt Example (2004): Choose a controversial local, national, or global issue and propose a solution or compromise, considering opposing positions.

Key Tasks

  • Issue: Identify the central issue presented in the prompt.
  • Complexity: Address the complexity of the issue in your response.
  • Position: Formulate a thesis and support it with evidence from your knowledge.

Evidence

  • Evidence can be drawn from:

    • Literature.
    • History.
    • Current events.
    • Science.
    • Technology.
    • Popular culture (music, sports, films).
    • Personal experience.

  • AP Readers prefer less obvious and more academic research, if permitted by the prompt.

Types of Evidence

  • Analogy: Use comparisons to illustrate a point.
    • Example: Emerson uses naturalist analogy for teaching patience.
  • Hypothetical/Imaginary Examples:
    • Example: McBride uses a “nightmare scenario” to illustrate his initial opinion of hip-hop.

Sample Prompt: Opinions and Democratic Values

  • Prompt: "From talk radio to television shows, from popular magazines to Web blogs, ordinary citizens, political figures, and entertainers express their opinions on a wide range of topics. Are these opinions worthwhile? Does the expression of such opinions foster democratic values?"

Thesis

  • Original Position: All public statements of opinion have value in fostering democratic ideals.
  • Thesis example: "Although some public statements of opinion may be misleading or harmful to the speaker or others, in exposing us to various perspectives and experiences, they contribute to freedom and opportunity for all."

Thesis Nuances

  • A thesis should move beyond simple yes/no or pro/con stances, offering a nuanced argument supported by reasoning.
  • It also outlines the structure of the essay and the line of reasoning.

Introduction Content

  • Include the following elements as appropriate:
    • Attention grabber.
    • Background information.
    • Context.
    • Thesis.

Attention Grabber

  • Keep it to just one or two sentences.
  • Avoid generalized rhetorical questions.
  • Include a specific fact or illustrative example to emphasize the issue's relevance.
    • Example: "Freedom of speech is a fundamental principle of democracy."
  • Avoid cliches, such as "Since the beginning of time…"
  • Use a direct quote related to the topic.

Background Information

  • Consider what a reader needs to know to fully comprehend the essay.

Context

  • Include essential information about the issues.
  • Present various perspectives on the issue.
  • Address the ongoing conversation surrounding the issue.

Thesis Statement

  • Can be one or two sentences long.
  • Should answer the prompt, moving beyond simple yes/no responses.
  • Should be arguable and defensible.

Example Introduction

  • Example: "Today, public forums for statements of opinion abound, and, in a country where we consider it a right and privilege to express ourselves, the question becomes whether or not all the expressed opinions have value. America has long held freedom of speech as a constitutional right that protects its citizens. The idea is that free speech fosters representative government; voicing our perspectives and our needs allows them to be considered. But, some recognize that free speech, especially in the form of unsubstantiated opinion, can also be used to misinform or manipulate people in ways that may be harmful or offensive. Further, expressing opinions that challenge the status quo can be dangerous to the speaker. Yet, people question whether suppressing negative speech is the answer; instead, they suggest unproductive freedom of speech must be tolerated to preserve productive freedom of speech. Although some public statements of opinion may be misleading or harmful to the speaker or others, in exposing us to various perspectives, they contribute to the democratic values of freedom and opportunity for all to prevail."

Body Paragraphs Content

  • Claim.
  • Evidence & Commentary: Support the claim, explain how the evidence supports the claim, address counterarguments, and address any limitations of the claim and evidence.
  • Connection to the thesis: explain the relevance of the evidence to the thesis.

Counterarguments

  • Addressing counterarguments demonstrates knowledge of the issue and boosts credibility.
  • Address counterarguments through:
    • Concession: acknowledge the validity of another viewpoint.
    • Refutation: use evidence to disprove someone else's claim.
    • Rebuttal: present your perspective without directly disproving another perspective.

Body Paragraph Organization

  • Block: Present opposing side's main points in the first or third body paragraph; subsequent paragraphs build your own position with evidence.
  • Alternating: Pair opposing points with your own within each body paragraph, arguing back and forth.

Claim Example

  • "Television, magazines, and blogs provide opportunities for us to understand what is happening in other places, empathize with others, or challenge our misguided beliefs or practices that infringe on others’ freedom or opportunities. Public statements of opinion expose us to various people, places and perspectives, which can influence us to be more open-minded and compassionate about others’ experiences and to seek change."

Evidence & Commentary Example

  • "When Malala Yousafzai blogged about the Taliban’s preventing her and other girls from going to school in her village in Pakistan, she not only informed people about oppression suffered under Taliban rule, but also galvanized support from people around the world for equal opportunity in education. Some would argue that her public statement of opinion was harmful to her as it caused her and others to be victims of violence by the Taliban, and this is a consequence that should not be dismissed. Many people throughout history have exposed themselves to violence and even death for the sake of a cause they believed in. Martin Luther King, Jr. sacrificed his life by speaking out on the injustices suffered by African Americans and Nelson Mandela sacrificed his freedom to support the cause of civil rights. However, these men and Yousafzai recognized that the value of what they accomplished by stating their viewpoints was vitally important to humankind despite the dangers to themselves. Their sacrifices led to more equality for others. King’s work led to the passing of civil rights legislation. Mandela’s led to the abolition of apartheid. Yousafzai brought awareness to the world of the Taliban’s denial of education for women, influenced legislation in her country regarding women’s education, and inspired many to have the courage to stand up for what they believe. Being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize attests to the value of her public statement."

Connection to Thesis Example

  • "Without King, Mandela, and Yousafzai, greater freedom and equality may not have been achieved, a certainly valuable outcome of their public statements."

Conclusion

  • Summarize argument and main idea.
  • Discuss the implications, significance, and