U.S. Government & Politics - Mr. Tyler's Lessons · 2014-07-16 · Key Essay Components Readings are critical for preparation Follow directions Less general and more focused questions

U.S. Government &

Politics

ESSAYS

AP PREP

FOUR Free Response Questions

100 minutes total to complete ALL FOUR

essays (25 minutes each)

Mandatory equally weighted questions

Key Essay Components

Readings are critical for preparation

Follow directions

Less general and more focused questions

Questions are often TWO-PART; list and

compare, define and explain, outline and explain

Questions do not have to be answered in order

Strategies for Answering the Free-

Response Essay Question

Read the entire question. Underline key words

that will help you understand what the question

is looking for.

Base your decision on your overall familiarity

with the subject matter of the questions and the

specific areas related to the general question

asked

More Strategies

Make sure your supporting evidence and data support your thesis and your opening statement or references to data

Make sure that your examples and answers are linked to the question

REREAD! Do not hesitate to add any part of your answer.

Pointers

Know your tasks

Map out your answer/outline your response

Time Constraints

Write in blue or black ink

Learn point system (Speculation)

Think of direct answer/action

DO WHAT IS ASKED!!!!!!!

Jargon

Be familiar with the language of a particular

area/field.

Essential terms and phrases

Data-Based Question (DBQ)

Identify charts, graphs, or political cartoons

Study the data and describe what you can

Analyze the data by explaining some of reasons

behind patterns & trends

Assess the larger significance of the data

Sample Questions Presidents are generally thought to have advantages

over Congress in conducting foreign policy because of

the formal and informal powers of the presidency

A. Identify two formal constitutional powers of the President

in making foreign policy

B. Identify two formal constitutional powers of the Congress

in making foreign policy.

C. Identify two informal powers of the President that

contribute to the President’s advantage over Congress in

conducting foreign policy

D. Explain how each of the informal powers identified in (c)

contributes to the President’s advantage over Congress in

conducting foreign policy

Rubric

8 POINT RUBRIC (QUESTION VALUE)

A. 2 points – 1 point for each of two identifications

B. 2 points – 1 point for each of two identifications

C. 2 points – 1 point for each of two identifications

D. 2 points – 1 point for each of two explanations

*Score of zero (0) for attempted answer that earns no

points

Part A

EXPLICIT---Formal Constitutional Powers of

the President

Commander-in-chief; power to commit troops

Appointment of ambassadors and foreign policy officials

Negotiate/Make treaties

Recognition of nations

Receive ambassadors/heads of state/public ministers

Veto Foreign Policy Legislation/laws

Part B

EXPLICIT---Formal Constitutional Powers

of Congress

Confirm ambassadors-Senate

Power of the purse (Military/foreign issues)

Declare war

Pass laws/resolutions-(Military/foreign issues)

Regulate foreign trade/commerce

Ratify treaties

Raise and support an army

Part C

Informal Powers of the President

Executive agreements

Access to the media

Agenda setting

Meet with world leaders

More access to information, knowledge, and expertise

Recognized as a global leader—great authority, main person, 1st

in America, chief leader

Crisis manager

Part D

Explanations: HOW or Why? (Edge/Advantage)

Persuade Congress: negotiate, offer support, threats, etc.

Persuade public: various means of persuasion) of foreign

policy process/issues (apply pressure on Congress)

Ability to circumvent the formal process--

Bypassing/Congress out of the loop/Avoid/Without

interference from Congress

Bully pulpit

Diplomacy—contact with foreign leaders

Must LINK to Part C