Claim/Thesis1-2 sentences onlyTake a clear, defensible positionrespond to the questionEstablish a line of reasoning -- use the word “because”
1st Piece of Evidence -- pick one of listed required docsnew paragraphUse relevant and specific evidence from a required document that supports your claim/thesisIs your argument relevant to the topic of the prompt?Did you explain how/why your evidence supports your claim/thesis? (Did you close the loop?)
2nd Piece of Evidence -- pick different one than 1st, can be from list or own knowledge of gov.new paragraphUse relevant and specific evidence from something other than the document you used in your other argument that supports your claim/thesisIs your argument relevant to the topic of the prompt?Did you explain how/why your evidence supports your claim/thesis? (Did you close the loop?)

Read through the scenario and question 1-2 times
Three parts: A, B, Ccan label partsskip line between sections
Verbs are “describe” or “explain” (see below)
Every word in the prompt matters -- be sure that you are addressing all parts of the prompt
“in the context of the scenario” - must relate response to the scenario specifically, do not give arbitrary response that could be applied many situations

Answer the prompt, no elaboration1 sentence

Provide details, essential characteristics of what you are describingCan give an example if it’s helpful2-4 sentences

Define all relevant termsElaborate, Evidence, Example; show you know by being specificAnswer “How?” or “Why?” does the relationship exist, use the word “because”“close the loop” by referencing the topic of the question1 paragraph