ap gov unit 3 essay

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AP U.S. Government and Politics: Argument Essay

Question 4 of the AP U.S. Government and Politics free response section will always be the Argument Essay. These questions begin with a brief paragraph about a given topic, such as the balance between federal and state powers. The prompt will then give specific instructions about how you must format your essay, including a list of several required foundational documents that are relevant to the topic at hand. You will need to discuss one of the listed documents as well as another piece of specific evidence from your own knowledge.

Argument Essay Strategies

While the scoring for the first three free-response questions is more straightforward—you earn points (or not) based on fully addressing each part of the prompt—the scoring for the Argument Essay is a little more complex. The following rubric outlines what the AP readers are generally looking for when they grade your Argument Essay; note the various categories and the ways you can earn points.

Sample Question

• Formulate a defensible thesis that establishes a chain of reasoning.
• Federalist 10
• U.S. Constitution
• Take your other piece of evidence from a different foundational document from the list above OR from your own study.
• Logically explain why your evidence supports your thesis.
• Present and reply to an alternative viewpoint using refutation, concession, or rebuttal.

Step 1: Analyze the Prompt

Step 2: plan your response.

You’ll want to create a brief outline before you start writing, just like you would for any other full-length essay. As you saw from the rubric, AP readers are interested in your thesis development, your use of evidence, and your treatment of an alternative view. Everything you write should be toward one or more of those ends.

You will need to state a thesis that specifically addresses the prompt and makes a claim. Avoid rewording the prompt or being too general. A good question to ask yourself is, “Am I actually taking a position on this issue that someone else might argue against?” Also, while the Argument Essay necessitates a longer, more detailed response than the other free-response question types, it does not require a formal introduction; in fact, writing a lengthy introduction can take up valuable time and frustrate the AP reader who is scoring your essay. Assert your thesis as soon as possible, and then move into the rest of your response.

It is important to note that the Argument Essay’s topic and prompt wording will always intentionally allow for multiple positions. Therefore, you should be strategic and choose the position that you can best back up with evidence. You may even advocate for a different position than the one you personally agree with! To that end, no matter how strongly you feel about a topic, always present your evidence and claims in a balanced manner. Throughout your essay, even and especially when responding to an alternative viewpoint, avoid wording that makes it seem like your argument is simply your personal opinion (e.g., “I think” or “I believe,” or any language that is overly emotional).

With all of this in mind, a high-scoring writer might write the following outline:

Thesis: Trustee is the best model (ideals of Constitution)

• Madison’s fear: large country + big gov’t = factions (many groups disagree)
• Trustee can mediate, come to concl, act in best interests
• Needed trustee model to make change
• Civil rights and women’s rights movements
• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965

Response to alternative view: Anti-Feds would fear large repub (Brutus), but pol system in place would keep trustee honest

Step 3: Action! Write Response & Step 4: Proofread

Sample high-scoring response.

The trustee model of legislative representation is the best reflection of the founders’ intentions in setting up American democracy because it offers the best hope for what the Preamble to the Constitution calls “a more perfect union,” one that will bring together war- ring factions and increase harmony.

As James Madison pointed out in Federalist 10, it is inevitable that a republic will contain many groups which vehemently disagree. The bigger a country grows, the more frequent and violent factional clashes are likely to become. Madison was looking ahead to the U.S. that would burst the bounds of the original colonies and create more factionalism. This vision of an expanding, clashing nation makes the trustee model very appealing. A trustee Congressperson is one who will listen to all sides, make an independent judgment, but then go on to explain it so that opponents may be persuaded to change their minds, thus bringing resolution to conflicts.

A trustee is a representative willing to do the principled thing even if the public thinks otherwise. Many issues in our history have seemed so polarized that they were beyond resolution and could not wait for popular consensus. This was the case with civil rights issues and legislation in the 1960s. Technically, African Americans had the right to vote since the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment in 1870. However, this right was violently suppressed through intimidation tactics and a variety of restrictive measures such as poll taxes and literacy tests. It was not until the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that substantial voting protections were extended to all black people. The Voting Rights Act outlawed literacy tests and other tactics; under this act, federal officials were sent to the South to ensure that African Americans were allowed to vote free from fear and intimidation, and the election practices of local governments were held under greater scrutiny. Civil rights movement leaders had challenged discriminatory practices for decades, but due to intense polarization in society, there was no public consensus on how to address racism in voting practices or even agreement as to whether to address it at all. Legislators had to go against the opinions of the majority in order to act in a way that advanced American ideals for all citizens, and the public eventually caught up.

Similarly, legislators pushed through the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which was supported by people within social movements but not by the general populace. Additionally, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 touched on the goals of not just the civil rights movement but also the women’s rights movement; for example, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibited sex discrimination in public accommodations. Members of these movements had been working for years to get society at large to expand rights and protections to all people. However, if legislators had waited to act until a majority of their constituency approved of these civil rights bills, the bills may never have passed. In this way, the trustee model can be used to uphold the rights of the minority despite majority resistance.

The trustee idea would have been opposed by Brutus and other Anti-Federalists. Brutus 1 warns that a large republic would necessarily be disconnected from its people. Following this logic, a concern with the trustee model would be that the representative would deviate too far from the will of the people and become despotic. But it is important to note that the people have the ultimate voice if they disagree with the trustee’s judgments: the power of the ballot. The legislator’s desire to stay in power is a strong check on him or her, acting as an incentive to listen to constituents.

All in all, the trustee is in the best position to reduce the intense factionalism Madison feared. Even before the advance of mass media, the trustee had many means to learn of the people’s different views and to explain why the legislator was voting a certain way, or advancing this or that philosophy. This give and take of ideas surely helped to get the republic through its rocky early decades, and also helped the country to recover from the volatile growing pains and changes in the mid-twentieth century by finding ways to bring people together and advance equal rights for all.

Sample Response Explanation and Scoring

• Thesis (0–1 pt): The writer sets up a clear X because Y sentence to introduce the thesis, which could be paraphrased as, The trustee model brings about harmony. Everything that follows is connected to the founders’ ideal of harmony. The writer would therefore earn 1 point for Thesis.
• Support (0–3 pts): There is more than enough evidence to gain the full 3 points for Support, as the writer explains Madison’s argument in Federalist 10 and elaborates upon relevant historical examples of disharmony that those acting as trustees helped to fix through assertive actions. In addition, the references to the Constitution and Brutus 1 (while unnecessary for earning full credit in Support) show a strong command of course material.
• Reasoning (0–1 pt): The writer earns the 1 point for Reasoning by clearly explaining how a trustee offers the best hope for Madison’s vision. Specifically, the writer asserts in paragraphs 3 and 4 how trustees could not wait for public opinion in order to act.
• Reply to Alternative Viewpoint (0–1 pt): There is a whole paragraph at the end dedicated to rebutting the Anti-Federalists’ objections. In this way, the writer makes it clear that this requirement has been met and earns the final 1 point.

Question-Specific Rubric: 6 points (1 + 3 + 1 + 1)

Learn more about the other free response questions on the AP U.S. Government and Politics exam. Concept Application   •   Quantitative Analysis   •   SCOTUS Comparison

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Lesson Plan: AP Government: Argumentative Essay Practice

The Federalist Papers

Boston College professor Mary Sarah Bilder gives a brief overview backgrounding the Federalist Papers

Description

This is intended as an end-of-course review activity for practice with the argumentative essay format included on the AP United States Government and Politics exam since the 2018 redesign. Eleven practice prompts are provided, reflecting content from Units 1-3.

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY PROMPT ANALYSIS

• Review the provided Argumentative Essay Prompts in either an individual or jigsaw format.
• Write a thesis statement for your selected prompt(s) and identify the selection you would make from the provided list and the second piece of evidence you would choose.
• If there are prompts for which you struggle to develop a thesis, or items on the bulleted lists with which you are not conversant, use the hyperlinked C-SPAN Classroom resources to extend your understanding of the required founding documents and SCOTUS cases that you found challenging.

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

• Chose one or more of the provided Argumentative Essay Prompts , as assigned, and use the planning and exploration you did above to write a full essay in response to your designated prompt(s) in 25 or fewer minutes , since that's the time limit you'll face on the AP Exam!
• Exchange essays with a classmate and evaluate each others' work.
• 1st Amendment
• Branches Of Government
• Constitution
• House Of Representatives
• Separation Of Powers
• Supreme Court

AP United States Government and Politics

Ap u.s. government and politics course and exam description.

This is the core document for this course.

Updates for 2023-24

Starting in the 2023-24 school year, AP U.S. Government and Politics will have an updated course framework and instructional materials.

Course Overview

AP U.S. Government and Politics is an introductory college-level course in U.S. government and politics. Students cultivate their understanding of U.S. government and politics through analysis of data and text-based sources as they explore topics like constitutionalism, liberty and order, civic participation in a representative democracy, competing policy-making interests, and methods of political analysis.

Course and Exam Description

This is the core document for this course. Unit guides clearly lay out the course content and skills and recommend sequencing and pacing for them throughout the year.

Course Resources

Ap u.s. government and politics course overview.

This resource provides a succinct description of the course and exam.

AP U.S. Government and Politics Course at a Glance

Excerpted from the AP U.S. Government and Politics Course and Exam Description, the Course at a Glance document outlines the topics and skills covered in the AP U.S. Government and Politics course, along with suggestions for sequencing. It was updated in the summer of 2023.

AP U.S. Government and Politics CED Scoring Guidelines

This document details how each of the sample free-response questions in the course and exam description (CED) would be scored. It was updated in the summer of 2023.

AP U.S. Government and Politics CED Scoring Rubric: Argument Essay

This document features general scoring criteria that apply to Free-Response Question 4: Argument Essay, regardless of specific question prompt. It was updated in the summer of 2023.

Course Content

This course framework describes the course requirements necessary for student success and specifies what students should know and be able to do. The framework also encourages instruction that prepares students for advanced political science coursework and active, informed participation in our constitutional democracy.

The AP U.S. Government and Politics framework is organized into five commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. As always, you have the flexibility to organize the course content as you like.

The AP U.S. Government and Politics framework included in the CED outlines distinct skills that students should practice throughout the year—practices that will help them learn to think and act like political scientists.

AP and Higher Education

Higher education professionals play a key role in developing AP courses and exams, setting credit and placement policies, and scoring student work. The AP Higher Education section features information on recruitment and admission, advising and placement, and more.

This chart  shows recommended scores for granting credit, and how much credit should be awarded, for each AP course. Your students can look up credit and placement policies for colleges and universities on the  AP Credit Policy Search .

Meet the Development Committee for AP U.S. Government and Politics.

The AP Program is unique in its reliance on Development Committees. These committees, made up of an equal number of college faculty and experienced secondary AP teachers from across the country, are essential to the preparation of AP course curricula and exams.

AP U.S. Government and Politics Development Committee

AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam Tips

The following strategies for answering the free-response questions will help you on exam day.

• Answering essay questions generally requires a good deal of training and practice. Students too often begin to write immediately, which can create a string of disconnected, poorly planned thoughts. You should approach questions methodically and plan your answers before putting pencil to paper.
• Carefully analyze the question, thinking through what is being asked, and identify the elements that must be addressed in the response. Each AP Exam asks different types of questions about each subject. For example, some questions may require you to consider the similarities between people or events, and then to think of the ways they are different. Others may ask you to develop an argument with examples in support of or opposing a particular movement or policy. Be sure to carefully craft your answer in response to what is actually being asked in the question prompt.
• After you have determined what is involved in answering the question, consider what evidence you can incorporate into your response. Review the evidence you learned during the year that relates to the question and then decide how it fits into the analysis. Does it demonstrate a similarity or a difference? Does it argue for or against a generalization that is being addressed?
• Whenever you offer evidence to illustrate contrast or similarity, clearly state your intent. Then, with additional information or analysis, elaborate on the ways in which these pieces of evidence are similar or different. If there is evidence that refutes a statement, explain why it argues against the statement. Your answer should reflect an understanding of the subtleties of the questions.
• Begin writing only after you have thought through the evidence you plan to use and have determined what your thesis statement will be. Once you have done this, you will be in a position to answer the question analytically instead of in a rambling narrative.
• Learn how to present your thesis statement: make your overarching statement or argument and then position your supporting evidence so that it is obviously directed to answering the question, as opposed to being a string of abstract generalizations. State your points as clearly as possible and explicitly connect them to the larger thesis. Do not leave it to the reader to infer what is meant or how something illustrates a point.
• If you have done the analytical work required prior to writing, you should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of the question. You should state your thesis, introduce the elements that support the thesis, and demonstrate the logic that led you to link the elements in support of the thesis. By applying these ideas you will construct an excellent essay.
• While essay writing in general is a valuable exercise, you may wish to work specifically on free-response questions from previous AP Exams. This will allow you to compare your own responses with those that have already been scored and evaluated. Free-response questions are available through the AP Program in numerous formats. Fnd sample essays for U.S. Government and Politics on the Past Exam Questions page at AP Central.

Pay close attention to the task verbs in the question. Each one directs you to complete a specific type of response. Here are the task verbs you’ll see on the exam:

• 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.

All Subjects

🗳️ AP Comparative Government Unit 3 – Political Culture & Participation

Political culture shapes how people engage with politics, from their beliefs and values to their participation in the system. It encompasses civic culture, socialization, efficacy, and various forms of involvement like voting, protesting, and online activism. Factors like education, income, age, and ethnicity influence political engagement. Different types of political cultures exist, from parochial to participant. Contemporary issues like populism, polarization, and social movements continue to shape political landscapes worldwide.

Study Guides for Unit 3

Unit 3 Overview: Political Culture & Participation

Civil Society

Political Culture

Political Ideologies

Political Beliefs and Values

Nature and Role of Political Participation

Forces that Impact Political Participation

Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Political and Social Cleavages

Challenges of Political and Social Cleavages

Key Concepts

• Political culture encompasses the shared values, beliefs, and attitudes that shape political behavior within a society
• Civic culture is a type of political culture characterized by high levels of political participation, trust in government institutions, and a belief in the legitimacy of the political system
• Political socialization is the process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs, values, and behaviors through interactions with family, education, media, and other social institutions
• Political efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to influence political outcomes and the responsiveness of the political system to their demands
• Political participation includes various activities citizens engage in to influence political decisions, such as voting, campaigning, contacting representatives, and protesting
• Voter turnout is a key indicator of political participation and is influenced by factors such as education, income, age, and the competitiveness of elections
• Political apathy describes a lack of interest or engagement in political affairs, often resulting from disillusionment, cynicism, or a sense of powerlessness
• Political mobilization involves efforts by political parties, interest groups, and social movements to encourage citizens to participate in political activities and support their causes

Historical Context

• The concept of political culture gained prominence in the 1960s with the work of Gabriel Almond and Sidney Verba, who studied the relationship between political attitudes and democratic stability in five countries
• Alexis de Tocqueville's "Democracy in America" (1835) provided early insights into the political culture of the United States, emphasizing the importance of civic associations and local self-government
• The rise of mass media in the 20th century has significantly influenced political socialization and participation by shaping public opinion and political discourse
• Historical events such as wars, economic crises, and social movements have often served as catalysts for changes in political culture and participation
• The expansion of suffrage to previously excluded groups (women, racial minorities) has gradually transformed the political landscape and increased the diversity of political participation
• The end of the Cold War and the spread of democracy in the late 20th century led to a renewed interest in the role of political culture in democratic transitions and consolidation
• Technological advancements, particularly the internet and social media, have created new forms of political engagement and mobilization in the 21st century
• The global rise of populist and nationalist movements in recent years has challenged established political norms and institutions, reflecting shifts in political culture and participation

Forms of Political Culture

• Parochial political culture is characterized by a lack of awareness or interest in politics beyond the local level, with little expectation of government services or participation in the political process
• Subject political culture involves a high awareness of politics and government, but limited participation beyond voting, as citizens view themselves as subjects of government authority rather than active participants
• Participant political culture is marked by high levels of political awareness, interest, and participation, with citizens actively engaging in various forms of political activity to influence government decisions
• Almond and Verba's "The Civic Culture" (1963) identified the ideal type of political culture for a stable democracy as a mix of subject and participant orientations, balancing respect for authority with active citizen involvement
• Consensual political culture is characterized by broad agreement on fundamental political values and institutions, facilitating compromise and stability (United States, United Kingdom)
• Conflictual political culture involves deep divisions and polarization along ideological, ethnic, or religious lines, often leading to political instability and gridlock (Lebanon, Iraq)
• Authoritarian political culture emphasizes obedience to authority, limited political pluralism, and restricted civil liberties, with participation often controlled or mobilized by the state (China, Russia)
• Postmaterialist political culture, as described by Ronald Inglehart, prioritizes self-expression, quality of life, and environmental protection over economic and physical security, leading to new forms of political participation and issue advocacy (Western Europe)

Factors Influencing Political Participation

• Education is a strong predictor of political participation, as higher levels of education provide individuals with the knowledge, skills, and resources to engage in political activities
• Income and socioeconomic status affect political participation, with wealthier individuals more likely to vote, contribute to campaigns, and have access to political networks
• Age influences political participation, with older citizens generally more likely to vote and engage in conventional forms of participation, while younger citizens may be more involved in social movements and online activism
• Gender has historically been a factor in political participation, with women often underrepresented in political office and facing barriers to equal political influence, although this gap has narrowed in many countries
• Ethnicity and race can shape political participation, as minority groups may face discrimination, language barriers, or socioeconomic disadvantages that limit their political engagement
• Religion can influence political participation by shaping moral values, social networks, and political preferences, with religious institutions sometimes serving as mobilizing forces for political action
• Political interest and knowledge are key drivers of participation, as individuals who follow politics closely and understand the issues are more likely to engage in various forms of political activity
• Social capital, or the networks of trust and cooperation within a community, can facilitate political participation by providing resources, information, and opportunities for collective action

Types of Political Participation

• Voting is the most common form of political participation, allowing citizens to select their representatives and express their preferences on candidates and issues
• Campaign activities include volunteering for a candidate, attending rallies, donating money, and displaying signs or bumper stickers to show support for a political cause
• Contacting public officials through letters, emails, phone calls, or in-person meetings is a way for citizens to express their views and influence policy decisions
• Protest activities, such as demonstrations, marches, boycotts, and civil disobedience, are forms of unconventional participation used to challenge government policies or social norms
• Joining interest groups or political parties allows citizens to pool their resources and influence to advocate for specific policies or ideologies
• Community involvement, such as participating in neighborhood associations, school boards, or local government meetings, enables citizens to address issues at the grassroots level
• Online activism, including social media campaigns, online petitions, and digital mobilization, has become an increasingly important form of political participation in the digital age
• Consumer activism involves using purchasing power to support or boycott companies based on their political or social stances, as a form of political expression

Measuring Political Engagement

• Voter turnout rates, calculated as the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election, provide a basic measure of political participation and civic engagement
• Survey research, such as public opinion polls and academic studies, can assess political attitudes, knowledge, and behavior by asking citizens directly about their political views and activities
• Membership in political parties, interest groups, and civil society organizations can indicate the level of political mobilization and the strength of associational life in a society
• Campaign contributions and political spending can be tracked to measure the influence of money in politics and the intensity of political competition
• Media coverage and social media metrics, such as the volume and sentiment of political discussions online, can provide insights into the salience of political issues and the level of public engagement
• Protest event data, collected through media reports or direct observation, can quantify the frequency, size, and impact of unconventional forms of political participation
• Voter registration rates can be used to assess the accessibility and inclusiveness of the political system, particularly for marginalized or underrepresented groups
• Political efficacy scales, which measure individuals' sense of their own political competence and the responsiveness of the political system, can provide a subjective indicator of political engagement

Case Studies and Comparisons

• The United States is often characterized as having a participant political culture, with high levels of electoral competition, interest group activity, and a strong tradition of individual liberty and civic engagement
• Japan's political culture has been described as a mix of subject and participant orientations, with a strong emphasis on consensus, hierarchy, and respect for authority, while also featuring competitive elections and an active civil society
• Russia's political culture under Vladimir Putin has been characterized as increasingly authoritarian, with centralized power, limited political opposition, and a focus on nationalism and traditional values
• India's political culture reflects its diverse religious, linguistic, and regional identities, with a vibrant electoral democracy coexisting with deep social inequalities and political fragmentation
• The United Kingdom's political culture emphasizes parliamentary sovereignty, a strong party system, and a tradition of civil liberties, while also grappling with issues of national identity and European integration
• Nigeria's political culture is shaped by its ethnic and religious diversity, a history of military rule and corruption, and the challenges of managing resource wealth and regional tensions
• Brazil's political culture has been marked by a legacy of authoritarianism, clientelism, and social inequality, while also featuring a robust civil society, participatory budgeting initiatives, and a growing middle class
• The European Union represents an experiment in supranational political culture, with efforts to foster a shared European identity and democratic values across its member states, while navigating national differences and skepticism

Contemporary Issues and Trends

• The rise of populist and anti-establishment movements in many countries has challenged traditional political institutions and norms, often fueled by economic grievances, cultural anxieties, and a rejection of globalization
• The increasing polarization of political discourse, particularly in the United States and other Western democracies, has led to a decline in political trust, compromise, and the ability to address pressing policy challenges
• The role of social media in shaping political attitudes and behavior has come under scrutiny, with concerns about echo chambers, misinformation, and foreign interference in elections
• The COVID-19 pandemic has tested the resilience of political systems and cultures around the world, with debates over the balance between public health, individual freedoms, and economic recovery
• The Black Lives Matter movement and other protests against racial injustice have sparked a global conversation about systemic racism, police brutality, and the need for political and social reform
• The growing urgency of climate change has mobilized new forms of political participation, particularly among younger generations, with demands for bold action to address environmental sustainability and justice
• The decline of traditional political parties and the rise of issue-based movements and independent candidates have fragmented the political landscape in many countries, making it harder to build stable governing coalitions
• The ongoing struggle for gender equality in politics, from the underrepresentation of women in elected office to the persistence of sexual harassment and discrimination, remains a critical challenge for political cultures around the world

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