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How to write an FRQ
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AP US Government and Politics

How to Write an FRQ

In order to maximize your score on standardized writing prompts, you need to think critically about the clues in the prompt itself and the knowledge you have to offer.  The following exercise provides an example of critical thinking when responding to a writing prompt.

SUMMARY:        Read through the prompt

  1. Underline the key words that indicate the format of the written response (look for the verb- what is it asking you to do?  This is usually the first word in the question item).        
  2. Circle the key words that indicate CONTENT.
  3. Brainstorm/Outline in the margins of the Prompt
  4. Narrow or Focus your PLAN to match your best content with the format requirements

Sample Prompt:

Read the prompt and questions below.  Plan to incorporate answers to each question in your response.  Take time to organize your thoughts and explanations before writing in essay form.

     Evaluate the United States’ system of government.

  1. Identify the type of government that the United States practices.
  2. Describe the positive traits or characteristics of the U.S. system of government.
  3. Describe the negative traits or characteristics of the U.S. system of government.

STEP 1: Underline THE KEY WORDS, IN THE PROMPT BELOW, THAT INDICATE THE FORMAT OF THE WRITTEN RESPONSE.

Read the prompt and questions below.  Plan to incorporate answers to each question in your response.  Take time to organize your thoughts and explanations before writing in essay form.

     Evaluate the United States’ system of government.

  1. Identify the type of government that the United States practices.
  2. Describe the positive traits or characteristics of the U.S. system of government.
  3. Describe the negative traits or characteristics of the U.S. system of government.

Hint – What does the first word of the actual prompt require from you?

Discussion – What other words could be used that would require more or less detailed writing or content? List some.

Hint - How many questions must you answer?

Discussion – Could the question be worded differently to require you to answer more or less? How?

STEP 2: IN THE PROMPT BELOW, CIRCLE THE KEY WORDS THAT INDICATE CONTENT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE WRITTEN RESPONSE.

Read the prompt and questions below.  Plan to incorporate answers to each question in your response.  Take time to organize your thoughts and explanations before writing in essay form.

     Evaluate the United States’ system of government.

  1. Identify the type of government that the United States practices.
  2. Describe the positive traits or characteristics of the U.S. system of government.
  3. Describe the negative traits or characteristics of the U.S. system of government.

Hint – How specific or broad is the topic?  

Discussion – How much of your own interpretation of the prompt should be included in comparison with the test maker’s intentions for this prompt? Explain why.

Hint – Do questions ask for singular examples/responses or plural?

Discussion – How do you know?

STEP 3: BRAINSTORM/OUTLINE RELEVANT KNOWLEDGE/INFORMATION IN THE MARGINS OF THE PROMPT

Read the prompt and questions below.  Plan to incorporate answers to each question in your response.  Take time to organize your thoughts and explanations before writing in essay form.

Evaluate the United States’ system of government.

  1. Identify the type of government that the United States practices.
  2. Describe the positive traits or characteristics of the U.S. system of government.
  3. Describe the negative traits or characteristics of the U.S. system of government.

Hint – Use the margins and space allotted to brainstorm/outline each content area above. Use both R and L margins.

STEP 4: NARROW OR FOCUS YOUR PLAN TO MATCH YOUR BEST CONTENT WITH THE FORMAT AND CONTENT REQUIREMENTS

Hint/Discussion – Does your outline indicate in which direction your final writing may go? (Opening sentence?)

Hint/Discussion – From the outline, determine your strongest points or the easiest about which to write.

                             - Possibly eliminate weak or irrelevant points (don’t scribble or erase completely – Line through)

Hint/Discussion – Is there a predetermined, logical or preferential order to your content. How will you indicate this?

   NOTE: If prompt uses outline numbers or letters (ex. I, II, III; a. b. c.), you should plan to incorporate them

for the Reader/Assessor.

   Discussion – Why would you do this?

Hint/Discussion – Review the required FORMAT, then select the relevant CONTENT from your outline to fulfill

                both format and CONTENT requirements.

STEP 5: BEGIN MORE EFFECTIVE WRITING!