<p>My school just got a new AP Government class with a teacher who's never taught it before, so we're still trying to work out all the kinks with what works best when writing an FRQ. </p>
<p>We were told that if a question says something specific like, "List the steps to pass a bill into law" that's exactly what needs to be done--list. But what about a question such as "compare and contrast the concepts of liberalism and conservatism"? Is it okay to make a chart and list concepts of the different parties on either side, or would it be best to write a full-blown essay?</p>
<p>It would be better to write an essay.</p>
<p>Essay would be safer</p>
<p>the important thing to do with gov is to carefully read what the question is asking.</p>
<p>sometimes they say "identify" (a sentence) other times they say "describe" (2-3 sentences) and other times they say "explain" (essay).</p>
<p>you should be fine if you read the first word of the questions because you'll know what to do and what's expected. uhhhh and i would say always do an essay and add a fun graphic only if you have some extra time.</p>
<p>For Gov, unlike the history exams, full-blown five paragraph essays are never required nor looked favorably upon. Each frq will have multiple parts which are to be answered SEPERATELY: I repeat do not combine them into a multi-paragraphed essay. Some parts require a mere sentence or two, while for others 1-2 paragraphs should suffice. Be sure not to provide more in your response than the question asks, for as you may well be penalized for it. Trust me on this one; I did exactly as I described (which is what my teacher instructed the class to do) and I received a 5 on the exam.</p>
<p>I have to say that "essay" in AP Gov really just means like paragraphs answering the question directly, don't bother with a thesis statement or conclusion (unlike in APUSH essays).</p>
<p>If you've done AP Bio essays, the format for AP Gov essays is pretty much the same. Just answer the question in a straightforward way.</p>
<p>^^Good to know about the Bio essays, too, as I'm taking AP Biology this year. Thanks, man.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Each frq will have multiple parts which are to be answered SEPERATELY: I repeat do not combine them into a multi-paragraphed essay.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I was advised the exact opposite. My government teacher told us after going to a workshop on how to grade the free response that apparently they are REALLY lax with giving you points and if you have one answer for the whole question and lets say you have an acceptable answer for part B around where your talking about part C--had your answers been separated, you wouldn't get the credit, but if its all together, you would get the credit. Anywhoo, I did that (multiparagraph essays) and I got a 5 as well</p>
<p>There you go, then. Well I suppose as long as you touch on the desired answers, they will give you ample points.</p>