Writing a Free Response Essay For the APES Exam

APES Exam format and pacing 100 multiple choice questions (90minutes) 4 free response questions (90 minutes) 2-synthesis and evaluation 1 document based question 1 data set question 54 seconds per multiple choice question 22 minutes per free response question

What is a Free Response? A “Free Response” is a scientific essay that addresses a very specific and scientific topic. Each essay will have 4-6 points to address Each essay is worth a total of 10 points each Questions will be: 1 - based on an article 2 - synthesis…explaining or combining knowledge from various concepts 1 - data or math based

You don’t need to ACE this part of the test…earn as many points as you can.

Read the Question First Read the question thoroughly before you begin to write. The question components may be related. Read it again!

Review of Commands Compare Contrast List Explain Describe Discuss Point out similarities, to examine 2 or more objects and consider the likenesses. Contrast Point out differences, to examine 2 or more objects and consider the differences List Short concise sentences Explain Tell how to do, tell the meaning or, or why…give reasons for Describe 2 -3 sentences with vocabulary and examples Discuss To consider from various points of view…show your reasoning Define Give a meaning for a word or phrase

“compare” and “contrast” Clearly state what the items have in common Clearly state how the items are different

“discuss” or “describe” Define the topic Describe or elaborate on the topic State and example of the topic

Free Response is a different kind of question Do NOT write a free response like you would an english or history paper. APES Free Responses are scientific. State a fact, support it with evidence and connect all the dots. Remember the 3 “E’s” EXPLAIN ELABORATE EXAMPLES

Identify key words This will help you focus on the main idea of challenging questions. If you do not know the definition of a word, use your context clues and root words to determine the most likely definition. Ex.hydro- means water

Essay Grading Each essay that you write has a rubric to follow. Each FRQ is worth 10 points Try to determine how many points each section is worth out of the 10 total points. Try to earn as many of those points as you can.

Organize your thoughts before you write Spend some time organizing your responses to short-answer and essay questions. You'll reduce the time you need to revise. In the margin of the question, jot down the first ideas that come to you. Answers to essay questions are only graded if they are within the space provided. You will NOT get credit for any answer that isn’t on your response page

Outline your response You do not have time for a full outline. Organize your thoughts and jot down key phrases or terms you will need to include. Do not write out a full outline. Your essay does NOT need an introduction statement, body and conclusion statement.

Answer each section of the question in order and clearly label the section. Each question will have multiple parts. Separate each section with a new paragraph. Label each section or separate each section with a space. You cannot answer a question by referring to an earlier response Do the easiest one first so as not run short on time, and to answer whatever you can on all questions.

Do NOT restate the question. The question is very clearly written. You are simply giving a response to the question. Answer the question as if you were having a conversation with someone about the subject matter. Restating the question wastes time.

Write legibly! If the reader cannot read your handwriting, you cannot be awarded points. Even if you had a perfect response! Write in black ink. This is a college board requirement. If you wrote something that you need to change, simply mark through it with a pen. You are not graded on neatness. It is recommended that you skip a few lines between responses to allow room to add info later if you think of it/have time.

Use complete sentences!!! The directions on the FRQ portion of the AP exam tells you to “write in prose” which means complete sentences. If you do not write in complete sentences, your responses will NOT be graded. Bullet points are NOT complete sentences.

Not sure? The AP exam may include what are called synthesis and conceptual questions. These questions may ask you to indicate the relationship between two or more concepts. If you do not know the relationship between the concepts, at least tell what you know about them individually.

Fully explain Leave nothing to the readers imagination (pretend that you are teaching your parents to use their cell phones- assume they know nothing). Don’t be afraid to state the simple and obvious. You get credit for knowing that stuff too. 

Connect the Dots! You must connect the action with the reaction in a logical sequence. Action → Reaction or Affect → Effect Fill in the blanks for these scenarios: Officer Hilbish came into the room . . Three students got into his police cruiser. I ordered a steak for dinner . . . The mean global temperature raised 1oC in 2009.

Use all of the time you're given If you finish early, don't stop. Use the extra time to proofread and edit your answers. You will be given 22 minutes for each essay.

The Math component Show all your work; partial credit is given for partial solutions to problems. You will be awarded points for the correct answer and a logical approach. If the answer is not correct, you are not likely to receive credit for correct thinking if the person scoring the examination does not see evidence of this process on paper. If you do work that you think is incorrect, simply put an "X" through it, instead of spending time erasing it completely

The Math component Show every single step of work (label your steps) Set up problems to that the labels cancel out (dimensional analysis) Show the formula used and then plug your numbers in Write answers with labels If the numbers are very large or very small, use scientific notation if at all possible Make sure to include units- answers without units won’t get full credit.

Make a graph Set up the graph with the independent variable along the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis Mark off axes with equal (proportional) increments and label with proper units Plot points and attempt to sketch in the curve If more than one curve is plotted, write a label ON EACH CURVE (this is better than using a legend or key) Label each axis Give your graph an appropriate title (what is it showing?)

A number is meaningless . . . Remember ALL of your units. A number is meaningless without the units. When you are setting up the problem and especially in your answer, carry all of the units. NO NAKED NUMBERS

Lab Design Your hypothesis and/or predictions/expected results. Use the “if/than” format The independent variable- what treatments you will apply The dependent variable- what you will measure The variable to be controlled (VERY IMPORTANT)- what you will keep the same The organism/materials/apparatus to be used Describe what you will actually do. You may number these steps. Describe how you will actually take and record data Make sure to mention that the experiment uses multiple samples (50+) or is repeated multiple times. State how you will draw a conclusion (compare expected results to hypothesis or predictions) Note: your experiment needs to at least be theoretically possible and it is very important that your conclusions/predictions be consistent with the principals involved and with the way you set up the experiment

After every question… For every statement you write, ask yourself “WHY”, If there is an answer to that “why”- Keep writing!

AVOID… Pollution Factory Contamination Runoff Kills stuff Smokestacks Global solution Global catastrophe Global cooperation Dangerous chemical Kills all plants/animals/environment Make it illegal The water law The air law Make it more/less expensive Mother Nature Overconsumption of natural resources Pollute air/water/soil/etc Repair the damage Impact/change/alter the environment Pollution Factory Contamination Runoff Kills stuff Smokestacks Bad Toxic Harmful Bad for the environment Negativity influence Energy source Waste Chemicals Pesticides Good/bad Better/worse Causes environmental degradation Destroys environment Disrupts environment Ecofriendly Greener

Also… Do not include opinion, points of view or flippant answers. Don’t use absolutes- will it really kill ALL the animals? With the ENTIRE ecosystem really be harmed?

And… Don’t be vague- if a 4th grader can understand it – it’s too vague. Follow it up with a specific example. (ex. Name the chemical that causes the pollution and explain its impacts. OR Name a specific species or type of species that would be impacted and explain how. OR name a specific law or specific possible law that will illustrate whatever you are talking about.) Don’t use “Maybe” or “might”- unless there is actual scientific uncertainty. Be confident in your answer- even if you’re guessing.

Make this better! “Acid Deposition hurts the forest”

Better! “Acid Deposition hurts the forest” “Acid deposition can hurt forests in several ways. One way is by reducing the topsoil’s ability to retain vital nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and potassium which are needed by trees.”

Make this better! “Runoff from farms can reduce water quality and hurt the environment”

Better! “Runoff from farms can reduce water quality and hurt the environment” “Runoff from farms can reduce surface water quality by introducing nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates. These compounds promote algae growth which can reduce water clarity. Further, when the algae die their decomposition by aerobic bacteria can also reduce dissolved oxygen levels.”

Make this better! “The pollution from coal power plants causes a lot of environmental degradation.”

Better! “The pollution from coal power plants causes a lot of environmental degradation.” “The air pollution from coal power plants includes nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and mercury which have been linked to several environmental problems including acid deposition and mercury contamination of surface water.”

Make this better! “Garbage incinerators cause a lot of air pollution.”

Better! “Garbage incinerators cause a lot of air pollution.” “Garbage incinerators generate a variety of different air pollutants including carbon dioxide (CO2), dioxin, particulate matter (PM), heavy metals and sulfur oxides.”

Try These then swap with a neighbor “High levels of poverty are bad for the planet.” “Mercury contamination in food can hurt children.” “Automobiles make a lot of air pollution which can disrupt the environment.”

GOOD LUCK!!