Free Response Survival Guide
Never show up on test day without reviewing the
Top Six survival strategies listed below
1. A FREE RESPONSE IS NOT AN ESSAY.
You have 25 minutes to score points, so don’t waste time writing
an introduction or conclusion since there are no points to be scored there. On the other hand, this is not a contest
to see who can score the most points by writing the fewest words. Do your best to always go beyond basic
descriptions; elaborate! (See the example below.)
2. Count the points hidden inside the verbs.
To do this you must know the difference between “low hurdle” verbs
like LIST, EXPLAIN or IDENTIFY, and “high hurdle” verbs like DISCUSS or ANALYZE. Assume that verbs
demanding more from you have two-part rubrics (2 points each). See list below for a brief list of verbs you may see
on the exam1.
3. Whenever possible, provide examples to support your response … even if the prompt doesn’t specifically ask
for them. If you can’t think of a particular historical example, court case, etc… feel free to create a hypothetical
one.
1
Key Terms
COMPARE - USE EXAMPLES TO SHOW HOW TWO OR MORE THINGS ARE ALIKE
CONTRAST - USE EXAMPLES TO SHOW HOW TWO OR MORE THINGS ARE DIFFERENT
DEFINE - TELL WHAT THE WORD OR SUBJECT MEANS
DESCRIBE - TELL IN STORY FORM HOW SOMETHING OR SOMEONE LOOKS, FEELS, SOUNDS, ETC. . .
DISCUSS - LOOK AT A TOPIC FROM ALL SIDES AND TRY TO COME TO SOME CONCLUSION ABOUT
ITS IMPORTANCE
EVALUATE - GIVE YOUR OPINION OR THE OPINION OF AN EXPERT ON THE VALUE OR WORTH OF
THE SUBJECT
EXPLAIN - TELL HOW SOMETHING HAPPENS OR SHOW HOW SOMETHING WORKS; USE REASONS,
CAUSES, OR STEP-BY-STEP DETAILS
IDENTIFY - ANSWER THE WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, AND HOW QUESTIONS IN AN
ORGANIZED PARAGRAPH OR ESSAY
LIST - INCLUDE A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF EXAMPLES, REASONS, CAUSES, OR OTHER DETAILS IN
"LIST" FORM; NUMBER THE PARTS [E.G. FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, ETC. . .]
OUTLINE - ORGANIZE YOUR ANSWER INTO MAIN POINTS [OR IDEAS] AND SUBPOINTS;
SOMETIMES THIS WILL BE IN ACTUAL OUTLINE FORM, OTHER TIMES IT WILL BE PARAGRAPH FORM
PROVE - PRESENT FACTS AND DETAILS WHICH SHOW CLEARLY THAT SOMETHING IS TRUE OR
FALSE
RELATE - SHOW HOW TWO OR MORE THINGS ARE CONNECTED; TELL IN STORY FORM
REVIEW - GIVE AN OVERALL PICTURE OR SUMMARY OF THE MOST IMPORTANT POINTS; TO LOOK
AT AGAIN
STATE - PRESENT YOUR IDEAS ABOUT THE SUBJECT USING SENTENCES THAT ARE BRIEF AND TO
THE POINT
SUMMARIZE - PRESENT THE MAIN POINTS IN A CLEAR CONCISE FORM; A SHORTENED VERSION
TRACE - PRESENT ONE STEP AT A TIME THOSE DETAILS OR EVENTS THAT SHOW THE HISTORY OR
PROGRESS OF A SUBJECT
4. Vocabulary matters.
Before beginning to write, brainstorm a list of potentially useful vocabulary terms … and
then approach writing the FRQ in the same manner as writing a keyword response. Remember … it’s not enough
to “drop” a scattering of vocabulary terms into your response … you need to show how the terms are inter-related.
5. ORGANIZATION MATTERS!
If the prompt uses letters and numbers to guide your response, be sure to
organize your response on the left margin with the same letters and numbers. Also, make use of transition words to
guide the reader’s eye: FIRST, SECOND, ANOTHER, FINALLY, & FOR EXAMPLE.
6. If you have time left, USE IT UP!
Go back and check that your response follows each of the tasks hidden in the
verbs. Comb over your response and look for places to score more points by rewording your argument, providing
detailed definitions of court cases and laws, answering the question more thoroughly, and citing relevant examples.
Your final response should look a bit like a hybrid between an essay and an outline. (See the example below.)
Sample FRQ
1. The United States Constitution has endured for more than two centuries as the framework of government. However, the
meaning of the Constitution has been changed both by formal and informal methods.
a.
Identify two formal methods for adding amendments to the Constitution.
b.
Describe two informal methods that have been used to change the meaning of the Constitution. Provide one
specific example for each informal method you described.
c.
Explain why informal methods are used more often than the formal amendment process.
Sample Student Response
Annotated Student Sample
“Notice how…”
The response appears like a hybrid between
an essay (robust body paragraphs with
thorough explanations) and an outline
(formatted with numbered sections, spaces
between the paragraphs, examples labeled).
The student underlines part of the response.
Although this is not required, it may help
your reader locate your points as you earn
them. It also helps you verify that all the
verbs in the prompt have been addressed
(all the points have been scored).
Court cases should be cited completely. But if you
can’t remember the full name or date, DON’T
GUESS! In most instances, you can demonstrate
your knowledge (score the point) by merely
mentioning a famous case by its “first name” like
Plessy, Roe, Miranda, Brown, Tinker, etc.
One part of this response subtly repeats
itself, but still scores both points. Unless
otherwise instructed by the prompt,
approach each task in isolation. Repetition
sometimes results.
The student goes beyond merely “name
dropping” key legislation, court cases, or
executive orders. ALL major policies
deserve explanation.
The student utilizes transition devices to
begin each section, or even restates part
of the prompt. You are wise to give your
reader every possible cue to help locate
your points.
The student approaches the prompt
methodically, point by point, with little
regard for the techniques associated with
elegant or stylistic writing. Notice how
B1 and B2 seem to follow a parallel
structure, as do both examples. There
are no similes, metaphors, analogies; no
cute alliteration. Your training from
years of English classes is replaced by a
technical approach, focused on
CONTENT and ORGANIZATION.
The student provides more than the minimum response here. It may have been
enough to merely mention “speed,” but the student continues to include the
comments about “likely to become policy” which is more of a political rather than
mechanical topic. This is a good habit to develop. Twenty-five minutes is plenty
of time to bolster your response with “back up” knowledge.