LF1 - Lesson: Developing a Literary Argument

People construct an argument like putting together a puzzle.Developing a Literary Argument

Readers establish and communicate their interpretations of literature through arguments supported by evidence. In this lesson, we will work on developing two paragraphs over two separate prose prompts that include:

  • a claim that requires defense with evidence from the text
  • the evidence itself

We will also use the AP English Literature Literary Argument Rubric as a guide for our writing.

Using Rubrics to Improve Writing

Download a copy of the FRQ Rubrics from AP Central Links to an external site..

To write with a purpose, the AP scoring rubrics can be very helpful. For these two paragraphs, we will be looking at three points: 1 point for the claim and 2 points for the evidence. At this point, it might be helpful to review a video that provides an in-depth explanation of thesis statements as related to page 1 of the College Board rubrics.

The above video is used courtesy of the Advanced Placement YouTube channel.

How To Earn Points

How to earn the claim point

You need to make a defensible claim that offers a plausible interpretation of the poem. A sentence that is unrelated to the prompt, a summary of the poem, or only focused on one aspect of the poem cannot earn a thesis point.

The thesis point is perhaps the most important point for your essay because it creates a foundation for the rest of your essay.

How to develop the evidence points (0-2)

For the upcoming paragraphs, the following will apply.

  • 0 - No evidence
  • 1 - The author summarizes evidence from the text, but there is no connection to a thesis. It’s essentially well-summarized random evidence.
  • 2 - The author presents a specific piece of evidence and then directly connects it back to the thesis.

Practicing the Evidence Points

For this practice activity, there are three paragraphs of the same length. Each one has a different score from 1-3. Can you accurately grade each response? Note that these paragraphs refer to The Awakening. The prompt is taken from the 2022 AP English Literature Exam which asked students to discuss “a character who reacts to a hierarchical structure.”

In Kate Chopin’s The Awakening Robert Lebrun subconsciously rejects the traditional Victorian hierarchical structure by not becoming an independent middle-class husband. Throughout the novel there are several male characters who conform to the Victorian ideal of a husband/father figure, in particular Leonce Pontellier (Edna’s husband). However, Robert Lebrun (Edna’s emotional interest) rejects this role in a central way. First, he fails to succeed with his profession. Much of the second half of the novel is marked by his absence from the plot as he has gone off to Mexico to secure his independent fortune. When he returns and Edna asks him if he was successful, he evades the question which suggests that he failed there as he did in New Orleans and Grande Isle. The irony is further developed when we remember that it was Robert’s Mother’s “fiancé of twenty years” who secured this appointment. Instead of securing financial independence through making one’s own way as Mr. Pontellier continues to do throughout the novel, Robert rejects the Victorian hierarchical structure by failing to climb its ladder.

Sample Scoring

Sample Scoring with Explanation
Response 1 Scoring Response 2 Scoring Response 3 Scoring

Thesis: 1 point. There is a clear defensible interpretation of how Robert Lebrun rejects the conventional Victorian structure. 

Evidence: 2 points. The response focuses upon one specific event in the novel that relates back to Robert’s failure to rise in the Victorian hierarchy—his failure to make his own career path. The evidence is further developed through the contrast with Mr. Pontellier, who has achieved his own wealth and provides for his family. Also note that this comparison could be continued with a discussion of Robert’s failure to marry and have his own family, and his lack of traditional masculine traits. Finally, the paragraph does not merely summarize everything that Robert does in the novel; instead, it focuses on one conflict in the novel that reflects his subconscious rejection of the traditional Victorian hierarchical structure.

Score = 3

Thesis: 1 point. There is a defensible claim that Edna rejects the Victorian hierarchical ideal of being a wife and mother. This is a fairly simple thesis statement and could be improved by mentioning the complexities that this rejection suggests. 

Evidence: 1 point. There is a correct summary of the novel, but it is mainly a list of the events that happen. None of the events are related to the prompt, although there are times when it seems like the writer is about to do so. This could be improved if any specific event was explained within the context of the idea of hierarchy. For example, the writer could explain how the “passion for painting” reflects her desire to reject the ideal wife and to become an artist. Or, the author could show how her relationship with either Robert or Alcee shows her rejection of her marriage. The author is close to earning 2 points here, but because the commentary is lacking does not achieve this score.

Score = 2

Thesis: 0 points. The opening sentence describes Edna as a character but never links this description to the idea of hierarchy. Although the statements in the thesis about her leaving her husband could be used as evidence to support an idea about challenging a hierarchy, this connection is never directly stated. Therefore, no point is awarded for a thesis statement.

Evidence: 1 point. There is a correct summary of the novel, but it is mainly a list of the events that happen. None of the events are related to the prompt, although there are times when it seems like the writer is about to do so. This could be improved if any specific event was explained within the context of the idea of hierarchy. For example, the writer could explain how the “passion for painting” reflects her desire to reject the ideal wife and to become an artist. Or the author could show how her relationship with either Robert or Alcee shows her rejection of her marriage. The author is close to earning 2 points here, but because the commentary is lacking does not achieve this score.

Score = 1

Reflection on Long Fiction FRQ

The AP Rubrics are very specific about what constitutes an effective thesis statement and how supporting evidence must relate back to the thesis statement. Having a defensible claim is the foundation of a quality essay because it helps the student select relevant evidence to support their analysis.

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