ap lang argument essay tips

ap lang argument essay tips

Effective Strategies for Writing Persuasive Argument Essays in AP Language and Composition

1. Introduction to AP Language Argument Essays

In this essay, I will explain the argument essay structure and the particularities of writing for an AP Language and Composition exam. The body of writing has a specific goal; it is not enough to simply package information in a particular manner. Success on the AP English Language and Composition exam relies on quick writing, clear thinking, organization, and convincing argumentation. Rhetoric is the study of how authors and speakers use words to influence an audience. Successful rhetorical analysis is reliant on writers’ ability to masterfully utilize language to articulate their argument. AP English Language and Composition exam practice is an essential asset to assist students in early success.

As English language learners, students need to learn to write texts that are convincing in content and comprehensive both in structure and development. Argument essays are a typical requirement. Students taking the AP Language and Composition exam are responsible for demonstrating profound knowledge, a sophisticated use of rhetoric, and an ability to form a convincing literary argument. The AP Language Argument essay calls for a rote application of skills. While it repeats both the argument theory and rhetorical theory learned in the required class, the role of abstraction is problematic. Argument in real life isn’t organized neatly into a thesis statement, topic sentences, evidence, and commentary.

2. Structuring Your Argument Essay

Third, you’ll want your thesis statement to address your major points. Your major points will be the subject matter of the body of the essay that completes the essay. Again, if one is writing on the education of children and music, he or she would need to choose the major points that he or she is going to discuss.

Second, and perhaps crucial, your thesis statement should interest you and it should interest your reader. Remember, it is about something important that matters to you and to your reader. A rather weak example exists in: “Music is a very important factor in both the child’s development and in education.” A better thesis statement is: “Music education is one of the essentials in the life of a child and it is important that they learn a music skill in the beginning of their education for their psychological growth and successful educational experiences.” The first example merely makes a point, perhaps a good point, but the reader is left asking “So what?” The second example grabs the reader in the same point but leaves them with an answer to “why this is important.”

3. Developing Strong Thesis Statements and Claims

The evidence signals interesting points and supports the argument in the essay. Evidence, also known as supporting details, has been broken down into different types based on genre to further illustrate ideas that are given in essays. Effective evidence is the building of premises and begins with a carefully structured and specific set of points. Sufficient evidence logically follows the reasons which support the assertion of the argument, and should be persuasive and prove beyond a reasonable doubt. As such, evidence propels advancement of the thesis statement, linking together with a claim to form a cohesive argument. Without a claim in an essay, the writer is detached from the persuasive argument.

What is a claim? A claim is the main argument in an essay, and it is probably the most important part of the form of persuasion. The claim is the most important part of an argumentative essay. A claim starts with a topic and is supported with specific evidence. An effective claim is debatable and asserts a specific point of conjecture. An argumentative, persuasive, or essay presents evidence in support of a claim and supports them, in contrast to an expository essay that simply explains something. The expository essay is forwarded by various statements that support the factual statement. Both a claim and a thesis contain specific statements and always connect with evidence: proof or support.

4. Utilizing Rhetorical Devices and Appeals

Utilize logical and emotional appeal as well. Logical appeal means using facts and statistics or other quantitative data to support the argument. Emotional appeal uses descriptive or vivid images, comparisons, anecdotes, adjectives, or other language that makes the audience feel some sort of emotion. The combination of logical and emotional appeal makes the essay more powerful and persuasive. Using the sidebar graphic organizers is a great way to remember this. Topics that an argument would get stronger consideration for “4” or “5” would be stem cell research, violence, social responsibility and personal freedom, mandatory access to health care, privacy issues, college athletes benefiting from media profits, the ethnic ghetto, the public school funding crisis, the benefits of buying specialized college guides/government funded student loans and liberal arts majors vs. specialized college majors. However, any topic that you care about deeply may inspire you to achieve these levels. Don’t sell yourself short.

An important part of the argument essay is to utilize rhetorical strategies throughout the essay to help strengthen the essay’s argument. Techniques to accomplish this include the use of antitheses, parallelism, rhetorical questions, direct address of the audience, definition of terms, and elevating style with quotes and asides. It is important for the essay to strive for tone and style. The greater the command of language, the easier it is for the reader to be convinced of the viewpoint. Illustrating a deep understanding of the intricacies inherent in the prompt will create a more vibrant pathos. Rhetorical devices and appeals could be the difference between a “4” and a “5” on the essay.

5. Revising and Editing for Clarity and Impact

Becoming more explicit, the thesis screening the essay’s end is considered the conclusion. With knowledge of the definition, reviewers can teach students how to write one. Through teaching the formula of thesis + three proof statements, reviewers can encourage the constructing of the introductory. Craft every sentence in the essay to anticipate the climax and resolution. Participants in the text should dissect the thesis as a token to examine the author’s diction, syntax, punctuation, and point of view. Recognizing the thesis in the text provides opportunities to model the expectations of voice, strategy, and structure required for different types of essays.

Revision strategies: argument structure uses at least three reasons, includes at least three examples, directly relates evidence to reasons

Academic writers need to define the author’s language by the screening phrase of the thesis. Because of postmodern theories of correctness, sufficient naming of ethos and pathos is crucial. The names of the three subpoints are also involved. Reviewers can encourage the author by mentioning effective naming of any of the three characteristic proof types of logos, using lots of punctuation at any hortatory statement, and variety of different types of sentence constructions/structures.

Revision strategies: conclusion effectiveness, vivid vocabulary, sentence and paragraph variety

Neat content alone makes a credible and persuasive argument essay. Readers of argument essays also require a paper that supplies concrete reasons and evidence for the arguments, a thesis that claims the writer’s point of view and matches the audience’s expectations, thorough and interesting development of the parts of the paper, and compelling wording at any point and multiple points of the paper. A persuasive argument essay includes all of the components as well as good organization and word choice. Every detail and choice builds the tension throughout the essay until climax and resolution. Effective time management, detail, conviction, and sense of audience from reviewers will assist the authors of argument essays to present the kind of essays that inspire readers to combine logical and emotional appeals with specific details written in just-right, compelling organization and wording to reach the climax and resolution.

Other strategies to develop and organize a persuasive argument: