free response the “frq” “written section”. what is an “frq”? free response question =...
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FREE RESPONSE
The “FRQ”
“written section”
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
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
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 …
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
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’tDON’T PREACH, MORALIZE, EDITORIALIZE
FRQ MANTRA: “Where can I earn points?”
General Info & “To Do’s”• WRITE LEGIBLY. If the reader can’t
read it, it’s not there. • USE COMPLETE SENTENCES – no
outlines, bulleted listsORGANIZATION 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
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 1st
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?
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
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 1st line of P
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
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
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