1. Tips for Writing an FRQ

2. What an AP FRQ Looks like
Congress and the president both have a role in making foreign policy. Despite recent expansions in presidential power, there are still limits on presidential decision making in foreign policy.
Describe two enumerated powers Congress has in making foreign policy.
Describe two expressed powers the president has in making foreign policy.
Explain how executive agreements expand the president’s ability to implement foreign policy.
Explain how one of the following can limit the president’s ability to implement foreign policy. x Elections x Presidential approval ratings

3. READ THE ENTIRE QUESTION BEFORE ANSWERING
READ THE ENTIRE QUESTION BEFORE ANSWERING! Make sure that you understand what is being asked of you before you start to write.

4. Underline the verbs in the question that tell you what to do
Underline the verbs in the question that tell you what to do. Put boxes around buzz words or vocabulary words. Tailor your answer to what is called for in the verbs, i.e., "identify" asks for a mere listing, whereas "discuss," "explain," or "describe" call for more elaboration.

5. Brainstorm and outline possible answers to the prompt before actually writing your response.

6. Jot down the letter for each part of the answer, and then do what that part of the question calls for.

7. Use examples wherever possible
Use examples wherever possible. More examples will usually give you a better score, unless it asks for the “main,” “primary” or “fundamental” which is asking just one.

8. Skip lines between each part of the question to make your answer easier for the reader to grade.

9. If the question calls for you to do something such as "Explain three reasons for..." or "Discuss two reasons why ...," number your responses to make your answer easier for the reader to grade.

10. Always try to use vocabulary words and show that you know what they mean.

11. Avoid using flowering language
Avoid using flowering language. Put your time and effort into answering the prompt!

12. Even if you cannot answer all parts of the question, answer what you can! You are not expected to earn perfect scores on all four questions. If you can earn MOST of the points possible on each question, you should be in fine shape!

13. If there is an actual question (e. g
If there is an actual question (e.g., "Does Congress exercise effective oversight over the bureaucracy?"), be sure to answer it (e.g., "Congress exercises effective oversight over the bureaucracy"). Typically, you will then be required to back up your answer with a certain number of supporting points.

14. List: State, or briefly identify (this can usually be done in a sentence or two). Example: List two ways in which federalism has changed since 1994.
Identify: Same as "list." Again, this can usually be done in a sentence or two. Example: Identify two ways in which federalism has changed since 1994.
Discuss: Write about, consider, examine. Example: Discuss two ways in which federalism has changed since 1994.
Describe: Give an account of, give a word picture of. Example: Describe two methods by which federalism has changed since 1994.
Evaluate: Make a judgment, appraise, give an opinion of. Example: Evaluate the contention that federalism has undergone substantial changes since 1994.
Explain: Make clear or plain, tell why/how, give reasons or causes for. Example: Explain two reasons why federalism has changed since 1994.
Support: Provide reasons that back up an argument. Example: Support the contention that federalism has changed since 1994 with two arguments.
Define: Tell the meaning of. Example: Define federalism and ...

15. Most common: Identify, Explain, Describe98 99 00 0l 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
Total
List 1
Identify 5 7 6 4 3 42
Discuss
Describe 2 8 41
Evaluate
Explain 69
Support
Define 12

16. W/ Your Partner
Syracuse High is a large school, and there are many extracurricular activities for SHS students to participate in.
Identify three extracurricular activities at SHS
For two of the activities you have chosen in (a), explain the primary function of the organization/club.
Explain how these clubs, in general, contribute to the goals and vision of the school, which is to ensure success for all students, both inside and outside of the classroom.

17. Three extra curricular activities at Syracuse High School include the Honors Society, Cross Country and HOSA
1. The primary function of the Honors Society is to celebrate and motivate students to attain high academic achievement in high school
2. The primary function of the Cross Country team is to successfully compete in long distance races against other schools in the state
c) When students are involved in clubs and organizations at school the school pride is increased. This improves the school inside and outside of the classroom because students are more inclined to improve the reputation of the school by succeeding in their studies and in competitions

18. Democracy was an important ideal that the Framers sought to establish in the new government of the United States of America
Define democracy
Describe two theories of democracy that have been developed by American philosophers
Explain why the Framers of the Constitution chose a representative democracy over direct democracy

19. DAILY QUIZ: 22 Sept
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.
Identify two formal methods for adding amendments to the Constitution.
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.
Explain why informal methods are used more often than the formal amendment process.

20. Individuals often form groups in order to promote their interests
Individuals often form groups in order to promote their interests. The Constitution contains several provisions that protect the rights of individuals who try to promote their interests in a representative democracy.
Explain two provisions in the Bill of Rights that protect individuals who try to influence politics.
Interest groups engage in a variety of activities to affect public policy. Explain how each of the following is used by interest groups to exert influence over policy.
Grassroots mobilization
Lobbying of government institutions
Litigation
c) Describe one specific federal governmental regulation of interest groups.  

21. (2000 AP Test)
The Constitution was an attempt to address problems of decentralization that were experienced under the Articles of Confederation.
List three problems of decentralized power that existed under the Articles of Confederation. For each problem you listed, identify one solution that the Constitution provided to address the problem.
Some have argued that the tensions between decentralized and centralized power continue to exist. Support this argument by explaining how one of the following illustrates the continuing tension.
· Environmental Policy
· Gun Control
· Disability Access