Exploring Argument Essay Techniques for AP Comparative Government

Suzanne Bailey, an experienced AP reader, guides students through writing an argument essay for the AP Comparative Government and Politics exam. The video covers the structure of the essay, including developing a defensible claim, supporting it with evidence, and addressing opposing perspectives. Bailey emphasizes the importance of pre-writing and using course concepts like demographic change, globalization, and sovereignty. She provides examples and practice exercises to help students understand how to construct a strong thesis and use reasoning effectively. The video concludes with a checklist to ensure success on the exam.

What is the first step recommended by Suzanne Bailey when beginning the argument essay?

• Outline the essay structure

• Brainstorm potential arguments

• Download the PDF of the question

• Start writing immediately

How much time is suggested for writing the argument essay in the AP exam?

• 90 minutes

• 60 minutes

• 40 minutes

• 30 minutes

Which concept is NOT listed as a course concept to be used in the argument essay?

• Economic stability

• Globalization

• Sovereignty

• Demographic change

What is required to respond to the essay prompt effectively?

• A defensible claim or thesis

• A detailed description of the course

• A summary of the topic

• A personal opinion

How many pieces of evidence are required to support your claim in the essay?

• Two

• Four

• One

• Three

What should you do if you encounter an opposing perspective in your essay?

• Change your thesis

• Refute or rebut it

• Agree with it

• Ignore it

What is the purpose of making a T-chart as suggested in the video?

• To compare different political systems

• To calculate scores for the essay

• To organize thoughts and visualize arguments

• To list all possible essay topics

Which of the following is an example of using reasoning in your essay?

• Repeating the essay question

• Listing statistics without explanation

• Stating a fact about a country

• Explaining how evidence supports your claim

What is the final step in preparing for the argument essay according to Suzanne Bailey?

• Taking a break before submission

• Submitting the essay

• Reviewing peer essays

• Explaining and defending against an alternative perspective

Why is it important to contextualize the concepts used in your thesis statement?

• To ensure clarity and relevance to the prompt

• To make the essay more complex

• To increase the word count

• To impress the examiners