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FRQs

  • half of your score comes from the 4 FRQs

  • each FRQ is worth 12.5% of your score

  • have to answer all 4 questions

  • there is 1 concept application question, 1 quantitative analysis question, 1 SCOTUS question, and 1 argumentative essay

  • remember all of the tricks to being successful on the FRQs

    • outline format

    • define all vocabulary

    • restate the prompt

    • explain why for everything

    • provide spare tires if it makes sense

HOW TO ANSER A SUPREME COURT FRQ

  • know all required SC cases (in reasonable detail)

  • identify a similarity or difference between the non required supreme court cases and a required can (usually a constitutional clause)

  • describe the details, reasoning, or holding of the required SC cases specific in the question

  • EXPLAIN a similarity of difference in the reasoning or holding of the 2 SC cases

    • a restatement of facts is not an explanation- must provide a reason why

  • EXPLAIN how the reasoning or holding in the non required SC case demonstrates a political principle, institutions, process, policy, or behavior

    • a restatement of facts is not an explanation- must provide a reason why

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

  • political scientists examine data, evidence, and differing perspectives to develop claims about political principles, institutions, processes, and behaviors

  • political scientists formulate a claim, or THESIS, and develop an argument that explains how the claim is supported by the available evidence

  • include

    • thesis

    • evidence to support your thesis (specific and relevant)

    • explanation of how your evidence supports your thesis

    • response to alternative perspectives (refutation of another thesis)

  • structure

    • introduce w THESIS (a standard intro paragraph will help you articulate your thesis/ claim/ argument)

    • simple paragraph w specific evidence that supports your claim

    • second simple paragraph w specific evidence that supports your claim

    • simple paragraph of refuting (counterclaim)

    • brief conclusion- restate the THESIS

FRQs

  • half of your score comes from the 4 FRQs

  • each FRQ is worth 12.5% of your score

  • have to answer all 4 questions

  • there is 1 concept application question, 1 quantitative analysis question, 1 SCOTUS question, and 1 argumentative essay

  • remember all of the tricks to being successful on the FRQs

    • outline format

    • define all vocabulary

    • restate the prompt

    • explain why for everything

    • provide spare tires if it makes sense

HOW TO ANSER A SUPREME COURT FRQ

  • know all required SC cases (in reasonable detail)

  • identify a similarity or difference between the non required supreme court cases and a required can (usually a constitutional clause)

  • describe the details, reasoning, or holding of the required SC cases specific in the question

  • EXPLAIN a similarity of difference in the reasoning or holding of the 2 SC cases

    • a restatement of facts is not an explanation- must provide a reason why

  • EXPLAIN how the reasoning or holding in the non required SC case demonstrates a political principle, institutions, process, policy, or behavior

    • a restatement of facts is not an explanation- must provide a reason why

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

  • political scientists examine data, evidence, and differing perspectives to develop claims about political principles, institutions, processes, and behaviors

  • political scientists formulate a claim, or THESIS, and develop an argument that explains how the claim is supported by the available evidence

  • include

    • thesis

    • evidence to support your thesis (specific and relevant)

    • explanation of how your evidence supports your thesis

    • response to alternative perspectives (refutation of another thesis)

  • structure

    • introduce w THESIS (a standard intro paragraph will help you articulate your thesis/ claim/ argument)

    • simple paragraph w specific evidence that supports your claim

    • second simple paragraph w specific evidence that supports your claim

    • simple paragraph of refuting (counterclaim)

    • brief conclusion- restate the THESIS