AP Seminar Performance Task 2 Study Notes

AP® Seminar Performance Task 2: Individual Research-Based Essay and Presentation

Introduction

  • This performance task is part of the overall assessment for AP Seminar, comprising two performance tasks:

    • Performance Task 1: Team Project and Presentation

    • Component 1: Individual Research Report

    • Component 2: Team Multimedia Presentation and Oral Defense

    • Performance Task 2: Individual Research-Based Essay and Presentation

    • Component 1: Individual Written Argument

    • Component 2: Individual Multimedia Presentation

    • Component 3: Oral Defense

  • End-of-Course Exam:

    • Part A: Three Short-Answer Questions (based on one source)

    • Part B: One Essay Question (based on four sources)

  • This packet includes directions for Performance Task 2, information on task weight within the overall assessment, and the required quality and quantity of work.

Task Overview

  • Performance Task 2 Weight: 35% of AP Seminar score.

  • Required components:

    • Individual Written Argument (IWA): 2,000 words

    • Individual Multimedia Presentation (IMP): 6-8 minutes

    • Oral Defense: Respond to 2 questions

  • All written work must follow these guidelines:

    • Acknowledge and cite sources properly to avoid plagiarism.

    • Adhere to grammar conventions and academic style.

  • Upload submissions to the AP Digital Portfolio as directed by the teacher.

Task Directions

1. Individual Written Argument

  • Steps to complete:

    1. Analyze provided stimulus materials to identify thematic connections.

    2. Compose a research question based on at least two stimulus materials.

    • The question must allow for meaningful exploration and development of a defensible argument.

    1. Gather information from a diverse range of sources, including scholarly work, to support your argument.

    2. Analyze and interpret evidence to construct a well-reasoned argument related to your research question.

    3. Revisit and refine your research question throughout the research process.

    4. Consider opposing views and their implications while developing your conclusions.

    5. Integrate at least one stimulus material within your argument as context or evidence.

    6. Evaluate different perspectives and cite all sources accurately.

    7. Maintain coherence and organization in your argument, ensuring it adheres to the word limit and avoids personal identifiers.

2. Individual Multimedia Presentation

  • Develop a multimedia presentation conveying your argument to a non-expert audience, keeping in mind:

    • Focus on key points for understanding.

    • Design visual media (slides, posters, etc.) appropriate to your narrative.

    • Employ engagement techniques (eye contact, vocal variety, gestures).

    • Prepare a concise set of notes or outline for reference.

    • Rehearse to ensure smooth delivery within time constraints.

3. Individual Oral Defense

  • Be ready to defend your research process and conclusions through responses to two questions from your teacher. Possible categories include:

    • Reflection on the Research Process:

    • How did preliminary information shape your research?

    • What evidence did you exclude and why?

    • How did your research question evolve?

    • Extending Argumentation:

    • What additional questions arose from your research?

    • What implications do your findings hold for your community?

  • Document your work throughout the research process to demonstrate authentic engagement.

AP Capstone Policies

Plagiarism and Fabrication Policy

  • Failure to acknowledge sources or use fabricated data leads to a score of zero for the affected task component.

  • Group work must adhere to the same standards—improper citation results in a group score of zero.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

  • Definition: Generative AI tools create new content based on predictive technology.

  • Acceptable Use: Support for learning, such as exploring topics or checking understanding.

  • Not Acceptable: Using generative AI to create or draft final assignments.

  • Interim Checkpoints: All students must demonstrate engagement through required meetings and checkpoints with their teachers.

Stimulus Materials Overview

1. Coffee Shops and Community (Ferreira et al.)

  • Coffee shops serve as 'third places' in urban settings, fostering social connections and community development.

  • The industry's growth in the UK:

    • As of 2019, over 25,000 coffee shops valued at £10.1 billion, with projections for growth to 32,000 outlets and £16 billion by 2025.

    • Coffee shops can symbolize community but also contribute to gentrification.

  • Studies indicate that coffee shops provide environments conducive to socialization and community connection.

2. Social Connection's Impact on Health (Surgeon General)

  • Review of evidence showing that social connections significantly predict physical and mental health outcomes, including longevity.

  • Highlights the dangers of social isolation and its association with health risks, such as increased mortality and chronic diseases.

  • Key findings:

    • Being socially connected increases odds of survival by 50%.

    • Lack of connectivity parallels health risks comparable to smoking.

3. The Impact of Roads on Nature (Goldfarb)

  • Roads destroy wildlife habitats and ecosystems.

  • Introduces the concept of 'road ecology'—the study of how roadways affect natural life.

  • Roads serve critical logistical functions but also contribute to habitat destruction and wildlife mortality.

4. Personal Narrative of Kobe Walk (Murakami)

  • A reflective journey through Kobe post-earthquake, exploring themes of memory, loss, and connection to home.

  • Illustrates how personal and collective memories intertwine with physical spaces, revealing the impacts of urban transformation on identity.

5. Berlin Wall's Legacy (Associated Press)

  • 35 years post-reunification: remnants of the Berlin Wall symbolize historical divisions and continuity of existence in urban landscapes.

  • Essential for understanding urban changes in both social and physical contexts,
    including gentrification and memory preservation as part of cultural heritage.

6. LEO Satellite Broadband Study (Osoro et al.)

  • Examines the sustainability of satellite broadband initiatives and their environmental impact due to increased rocket launches.

  • Emphasizes the conflict between advancing connectivity and environmental conservation.

  • Cognitive evaluations indicate a need for balance between economic growth and sustainability regarding space ventures.