FAD - AP Task Verbs and Writing Skills Lesson

AP Task Verbs and Writing Skills

Pay close attention to the task verbs in the question. Each one directs you to complete a specific type of response.

Analysis - it is very important that you learn to use analysis in your responsesHere are the task verbs you’ll see on assignments and FRQs:

  • Compare: Provide a description or explanation of similarities and/or differences.
  • Define: Provide a specific meaning for a word or concept.
  • Describe: Provide the relevant characteristics of a specified topic.
  • Develop an argument: Articulate a claim and support it with evidence.
  • Draw a conclusion: Use available information to formulate an accurate statement that demonstrates understanding based on evidence.
  • Explain: Provide information about how or why a relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome occurs, using evidence and/or reasoning. Explain “how” typically requires analyzing the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome; whereas explain “why” typically requires analysis of motivations or reasons for the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome.
  • Identify: Indicate or provide information about a specified topic, without elaboration or explanation.

For AP US Government and Politics, it is very important that you learn to use analysis in your responses.

As a guide for students, task verb information is provided to help students structure their answers. Refer to the information on the different levels of sentence structure.

To maximize your grades in this course, it is imperative that you follow these guidelines. View each of the categories to learn more.

 

     Level 1: Define/Identify     
        
  • This is the lowest level of prompt used in AP US Gov and Politics FRQs.
  • Answer in ONE or TWO sentences, simply defining the term as accurately as possible.
  • Although a high level of detail is not expected, do not make errors. For example, don’t use Congress/Senate/House interchangeably.
  • Pay attention to exactly what the term is and what the question is looking for.
    
     Level 2: Describe     
        
  • You need to define the term AS WELL AS provide an example that illustrates the concept.
  • Always write 2-3 sentences on a “describe” prompt. Take your time; do not make a silly mistake.
  • After writing your response, go back and re-read the prompt; what is the prompt specifically asking?
  • Check what you have written. Did you answer what the prompt was asking? Did you answer completely?
    
     Level 3: Explain     
        
  • This is the highest level of prompt used in AP US Gov and Politics FRQs.
  • Write 3-4 sentences on an EXPLAIN
  • You must take the information used earlier in the prompt and CLOSE THE LOOP.
  • Connect your answer back to the theme of the question. Tell them that you told them.
  • Include supporting details and/or examples. Make sure these examples are correct.
  • Examples should support a point, but they should not be the point. Be sure to make the point, and then back it up with examples.
  • After you finish writing, re-read the prompt thoroughly. This is part of the FRQ where most students lose points. Don’t let it be you.
    

 

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