Argument Essay
Write a defensible AP Gov argument using a thesis, required foundational document or case, evidence, reasoning, and response to an alternate perspective.
A lesson of AP United States Government and Politics, in AP Gov Writing and Exam Skills, about 10 minutes.
The AP Government Argument Essay (Q4)
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to write a high-scoring AP Government argument essay by constructing a thesis, supporting it with evidence, and using a required Supreme Court case.
Q4 Overview
The Argument Essay asks you to:
- Take a position on a political question (usually about American government or democracy)
- Support it with AT LEAST ONE required Supreme Court case
- Address a counterargument
- Use specific evidence (cases, examples, data, concepts)
Time: 40 minutes. Length: 4-6 paragraphs.
The Scoring Rubric (7 Points)
| Element | Points |
|---|---|
| Thesis | 1 |
| Contextualization | 1 |
| Evidence — Court case used accurately | 1 |
| Evidence — Court case explained in support of thesis | 1 |
| Evidence — non-case evidence supports thesis | 1 |
| Respond to the opposing argument | 1 |
| Demonstrate complex understanding | 1 |
Writing the Thesis
A strong AP Gov argument thesis:
- Takes a clear, defensible position on the prompt
- Establishes a line of reasoning (briefly previews how you'll argue)
- Does not simply restate the prompt
Weak: "There are arguments on both sides of this issue."
Strong: "The Electoral College undermines democratic governance by systematically devaluing votes in non-competitive states and allowing candidates to win the presidency without a popular majority; the Constitution should be amended to implement a direct popular vote."
Using the Required Court Case
You must use at least one required Supreme Court case. This means:
- Name the case accurately (don't confuse it with another)
- State the holding (what the Court decided)