The argumentation essay is designed to measure your ability to establish a position and support it with appropriate evidence. Unlike the other essays on the AP Language and Composition exam, the argumentation essay does not provide any text other than the prompt. Therefore, you will establish a thesis and support it with your own reading, knowledge, observations, and experiences. In essence, what YOU know becomes the primary evidence for the essay. The more comfortable you are taking a stance on an issue--any issue--the easier this process will be. The types of argumentation essays are as follows:
Support, Refute, or Qualify: If you choose to support (or defend) what the text argues, you will provide evidence that backs up the argument provided. If you refute (or challenge) what the text argues, your evidence will contradict the argument given in the text. If you choose to qualify what the text argues, you will agree with some parts of the argument and disagree with others. Conversely, you might agree with the statement being made, but only under certain circumstances.
Pros and Cons: This style of essay is similar to the "qualify" essay in that you will have to give reasons that both support and contradict the statement made in the prompt. You must then evaluate which side is more convincing. In this essay you will still establish a specific position, but you need to acknowledge both sides of the argument in order to effectively clarify your own position.
Develop a Position: The third type of essay asks you to develop a position on a specific topic. The topic provided will always be debatable in some way, which means you will need to clarify your position on that topic in the thesis. You will then support your thesis with your own reading, experiences, and/or observations.
The DOs:
DO determine the specific task you are being asked to perform
DO establish a specific position. Support, refute, or qualify an argument; establishing a position on a debatable topic; or evaluate the pros and cons of an issue as asked.
DO support your position with evidence. Be sure to establish clear connections between that evidence and your position.
DO engage in verbal combat; there IS a point to be argued and you should argue it.
DO develop the argument fully; you must move the reader through the argument.
Inductive V. Deductive Reasoning
The DON'Ts:
DO NOT waver between positions.
DO NOT merely write an expository essay instead of an argumentative essay.
DO NOT assume there is no point to argue--there is!
DO NOT lose focus or get off track.
DO NOT forget to establish clear connections between claims and the evidence.
DO NOT analyze rhetorical strategies instead of arguing a point.