1. FREE RESPONSE The “FRQ” “written section”

2. What is an “FRQ”? Free Response Question = short response question (couple paragraphs) 100 minutes – 4 mandatory questions –Don’t have a “choice” – must focus on all –Weighted equally to each other Can do FRQs in any order FRQs worth 1/2 of overall AP test score Need to budget your time!! = 25 minutes per question

3. Intro to FRQs Qs will focus on issues, concepts and content from the six Curriculum Requirements –Specific Qs require focused answers PURPOSE: to show understanding of “linkage” or “relationship btwn/among issues & concepts Responses generally 1¼ - 1½ hand- written pages –Essays written in third person

4. How FRQs are scored Readers use RUBRICS to award points –Trained to be “specialists” on rubric –Readers score – don’t take away points Now before we start writing …

5. What NOT To Do … DON’T … … write in PENCIL – use black or blue pen … SKIP a question – no “choice” … use broad statements to introduce, etc [“throughout history …] … write a separate conclusion – waste of time … use big words [unless sure] … Joke or Use drawings/cartoons … give teacher/class evaluations

6. What NOT To Do … DON’T … … “data dump” – LINK data to main point … highlighting/underlining important ideas or points – distracting, amateurish … give your opinion in response – I care, reader doesn’t DON’T PREACH, MORALIZE, EDITORIALIZE FRQ MANTRA: “Where can I earn points?”

7. General Info & “To Do’s” WRITE LEGIBLY. If the reader can’t read it, it’s not there. USE COMPLETE SENTENCES – no outlines, bulleted lists ORGANIZATION is CRITICAL Easier to read, get points – better an org. resp. w/average info than unorganized w/ above average info Thesis at beginning – keeps resp. focused

8. General Info & “To Do’s” ORGANIZATION is CRITICAL If Q calls for paragraph style, split sections of ans into paragraphs If Q calls for listing of some kind, can ans using headings and sectioned info –STILL complete sentences, etc Short, Sweet, To the Point: concise answers, address question directly –No pts for length, verbosity Thesis @ end of 1 st

9. General Info & “To Do’s” Use specific examples when possible – not always required but can help earn points ANSWER THE QUESTION THAT IS ASKED. NOT what you think is asked, what you know … Answer all parts of Q – How many Ex’s asked for?

10. 5 Steps to Writing an FRQ 1.Read [and re-read] the question –Understand AP tasks [terminology] –Answer ALL PARTS of Q – FRQS usually contain more than one prompt per Q 2.Identify key words in question –Terms w/in question – policies, groups

11. 5 Steps to Writing an FRQ 3.What does Q want you to DO w/ key words? –VERBS – define, explain [tasks] –What are they asking? How do I respond? 4.Outline response –ORGANIZE – leads to best answers 5.WRITE ANSWER!! –Restate prompt in 1 st line of P

12. Step #6? IF TIME ALLOWS AFTER ANSWERING ALL 4 … Go back & re-read answers!! –You have 100 minutes, why not re-read? –Make sure you answered each Q FULLY –Be sure you’re linking answer to Q If you want to add something after, write more @ end, draw an arrow to where it goes

13. General Info & “To Do’s” List/Identify: enumerating some info Define: provide meaning, “extend” def’n Describe: depict/portray; “what” qs; details Discuss: explore relationships btwn concepts; pro/con, rule of 3, details Explain: tell WHY, possible causal relationships btwn concepts, more than just examples

14. General Info & “To Do’s” Compare/Contrast: links btwn concepts Evaluate/Assess: consider how well something meets a standard – usually P form, needs thesis –Impt: identify criteria for standard Analyze: be systematic – deal with parts of concept to understand the whole –Yield conclusions, supported by evidence or argument