AP Human Geography
Mr.. Knapp
Advanced Placement is a college level class and as such will require you to complete this
summer assignment, nightly reading and writing during the school year, as well as class
participation.
I can be reached via email: kn4ppb@ardnerk12pg all summer.
The first part of your summer assignment is to email me from your own email so I can create an
email list and update you as class resources become available,
You are also highly encouraged to sign up for my class through Remind.
Send your text to 81010
81010 is the Remind short code so you can join my class without seeing personal information.
Text the message @Ieflce
This is the class code for APljuinanOco, You can always use fefke to join this class,
There are several components to this summer work, Make sure you follow all of the directions.
This is due the first day of class. If it is late (after I collect it, then the highest grade you
can earn is 50%
Argumentative Essay pointers
An argumentative essay is one in which you argue something is more
(important, stronger, better, etc) than something else.
• It is obviously your opinion, but you cannot use first/second person pronouns (I, me, my,
YOU, your, we, us, our). Do not write conversationally.
• It is at least 5 paragraphs (introduction, body with examples, and a conclusion). These
paragraphs are complete thoughts.
Introduction: This paragraph introduces the reader (me) to the topic you are writing about.
Pretend as if I have no idea what I am reading and fully introduce the topic
Key points:
There must be a thesis (main idea of what you are arguing) and the counterclaim
(opposite view point). If you don't have a counterclaim, what are you arguing?
There needs to be some details, but nothing too specific. Imagine if you met someone and
they told you're their entire life story- it's awkward and too much information right
away. This detail is your roadinap, It is the direction you are taking with your writingthese ideas become the body paragraphs. This needs to be written in order so it flows and
makes sense. If I gave directions to the school and they were out of order, it would be
confusing.
The introduction is the broad beginning of the paper that answers three important questions:
1. What is this?
2. Why am I reading it?
3. What do you want me to do?
You should answer these questions by doing the following:
1. Set the context —provide general information about the main idea, explaining the situation
so the reader can make sense of the topic and the claims you make and support
2. State why the main idea is important —tell the reader why he or she should care and keep
reading. Your goal is to create a compelling, clear, and convincing essay people will want
to read and act upon
3. State your thesis/claim —compose a sentence or two stating the position you will support
with logos (sound reasoning: induction, deduction), pathos (balanced emotional appeal),
and ethos (author credibility).
-
Body: These paragraphs (minimum of 3) are the roadmap you wrote in the introduction. They
have content and analysis that support your thesis/counterclaim.
Key points:
You should have an introduction for each body paragraph. Each paragraph has a thesis of
its own. Remember, the thesis is the main idea.
You should have facts to support your thesis/counterclaim. They need to flow and make
sense
You need to have sentences in your body paragraphs that prove why the reader should
accept/believe your argument. This is analysis (you are explaining your point).
o If you were to be arguing for a longer curfew, you wouldn't just make an
argument and walk away- that isn't how you win. You would give well thought
out reasons M to why your curfew should be later- you have never gotten into
trouble, they have been able to trust you, your grades are good, your parents know
your friends and they think they are good kids. This is the same with an
argumentative essay. You analyze arguments all the time; you have just never
thought about what it was called.
Each paragraph is explaining a complete thought.
Conclusion: This is the final paragraph. You are concluding/ending your essay. Tie up any loose
ends. Restate your thesis (argument) and how you proved your argument was correct.
General writing tips (I will be working with you throughout the year with these):
Avoid passive writing. Passive writing is typically easy to spot- it uses the verb "to be".
o The forms of the verb:
Am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been
o
Avoid vagueness. Vague writing indicates that the author does not know enough about
the subject and indicates more work/research is needed.
Again, and I can't write/say this enough, do not write in 1,'2 perspective.
o Do not use
I, me, my, you, your, we, us, our
o Do not write conversationally
"I'm going to tell you", "this paragraph is to", etc.
o
Grammar is important. Make sure the verb tense agrees with the subject, etc.
• When writing an argumentative essay- choose a side and stick with it
o
I'll get into this more during class, but the building block of all good writing is a
sentence. Start with a good sentence and then build from there.
The next few pages are a sample AP quality argumentative essay. Please look over it and
understand the important components.
Feel freetocontact me for help or to look over your first draft
--
AP Argumentative Essay Rubric
Grade 912
Proficient
Needs Improvement
Advanced
A. P.
Thesis
Does not meet one or
more of the following
categories
o Introduces
thesis/claim that
directly answers
the question;
0 Has an argument
without using 1st
person;
LI Acknowledges
that there is
another point of
view (counterclaim);
Li Has a
roadmap/categor
y
element/sentence
(summarizes an
answer to the
"how?" or
"why?");
Li demonstrates
adequate
knowledge of
subject matter;
uses adequate
content language;
0 adequate
knowledge of
subject matter;
uses adequate
content language;
..
0
o
Li
Li
Li
Introduces
thesis/claim that
directly answers
the question;
Has an argument
without using 1st
person;
Acknowledges
that there is
another point of
view (counterclaim);
Has a detailed
road map/category
element/sentence
(summarizes an
answer to the
"how?" or
"why?");
demonstrates
adequate
knowledge of
subject matter;
uses adequate
content language;
Content
1-4 solid outside
information/facts that do
support the thesis
5-7 solid outside
information/facts that do
support the thesis
Analysis
Effectively and clearly TIES
1-4 outside
information/facts (and/or
—
documents) to the thesis.
Effectively and clearly TIES
5-7 outside
information/facts (and/or
documents) to the thesis.
o
Met all proficient
standards plus:
Demonstrates
sophistication with:
c3 Counter-claim
Li Roadmap/category
element (summarizes
an answer to the
"how?" or "why?");
Li Thorough knowledge
of subject matter and
uses more specific
content language;
8-9 solid (person, place, law,
phenomena, statistic, etc.)
outside information/facts that
do support the thesis
Effectively and clearly TIES 8-9
outside information/facts
(and/or documents) to the
thesis.
Name:
Date:
AP Human Geography
Argumentative Essay Example
Question: Which agricultural hearth was the most successful in terms of agriculture, culture, and
the economy?
Agriculture is the deliberate effort to modify a portion of the Earth's surface through the
cultivation of crops and the raising of livestock. Agricultural hearths, or places where the first
farming societies settled, sprang up worldwide during the early stages of humanity.
Transitioning from hunting and gathering) these people now had permanent homes and land to
rook
acquire food from. Because of these ancient civilizations, cultures were created and urban areas
began to develop. In addition, trade transformed the Chinese civilization, When eornparheJ
fL,sus
!s!
ev!2 agricultural
fu at
I
r ti~ terms of agriculture,
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The agricultural hearth of China centered on the fertile plains where the Yellow and Wei
Rivers converge. More than 7000 years ago, the people domesticated millet and rice. Soybeans
were also successfully cultivated. Both rice and soy are staple diet components for the East
Asian population. This ancient discovery has fed billions of people over time. No other
agricultural hearth can boast this sigriificantfooclways achievement. Later, various fruits and
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vegetables were harvested. This diversity of produce allowed for improvements in the Chinese
diet, as well as great opportunities for domestic and international trade. This trade also makes
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the Chinese hearth the most important as other civilizations formed from the Chinese example.
The Chinese culture is the oldest surviving culture in the world today, This can be traced
back to its original agricultural hearth. By 1800-1600 BC, the government consolidated its
power and the Shang Dynasty gained control, It was a time known for its great bronze art. An
elaborate writing system emerged, and as a result, literature began to flourish. This writing has
lasted more than 2000 years. Politically and religiously, the people were organized based upon
kinship, and later Confucian. and Daoist principles. Both are still prevalent in China, from family 1
concerns and business dealings to government policies. Clearly, the importance of this hearth
can be seen today.
Currently, China is an economic powerhouse because of its past. Cities first appeared
around 1500 BC, independent of other heartbs. Despite having mostlyutoeratic rule, early
urban areas thrived because of the vast amounts of domestic and foreign products available for
trade. Besides foodstuffs, silk and porcelain became very important. This trade also increased
awareness of surrounding civilizations' cultures and religions. By 150 AD, Man, the capital of
*
3
the Han Dynasty, had more than a million residents. Very few other cities worldwide had this
population, making it quite successful. Cities during the Tang Dynasty (mid I
01h century) were
quite diverse with a variety of ethnicities, languages, and religions present Today, China is
home to several megacities, or cities with populations with more than 10 million people. Within
the region of the original agricultural hearth are China's most important cities. Shanghai, the
largest, is China's economic capital, and Beijing is China's actual political capital. Because of
the massive cheap labor factories are in abundance. Because of the importance of English as a
lingua franca, the population is also highly educated. With this come tremendous opportunities
for high-technology industries. No other agricultural hearth has the production and trade that
China does.
a~(J YI S
In many respects, China is a fundamental part of the world today. Because of their
history, they have an incredibly strong culture and economy that continues to thrive and
innovate, Their megacities allow for high levels of production and trade, including those in the
high-technology industries. The original agricultural hearth caused this chain reaction of events
to occur.