How to Select Specific Evidence for AP Lang Argument Essays

Introduction

• Speaker: Coach All Rights
• Platforms: YouTube and TikTok
• Goal: Reaching 10,000 followers on both platforms
• Purpose: Share tips to help AP Lang students prepare for exams

Selecting Evidence for Argument Essays

• Importance: Essential for crafting convincing argument essays
• Mnemonics: Useful tool for organizing evidence
  • CHORES: Current events, History, Outside knowledge, Reading, Experiences, Science

Using CHORES Mnemonic

• Graphic Organizer: Columns for each category to brainstorm evidence
• Choosing Evidence: Focus on the category that best fits the argument
  • Some students prefer history; others may use personal experience

Outside Knowledge

• Uniqueness: Incorporating sports, pop culture, music can make essays interesting
• Relevance: Include examples relevant to the prompt

Essay Structure and Evidence

• No External Sources: Students are the source of their own evidence
• Advice: Trust in your accumulated knowledge

Evidence Specificity

• Avoid General Evidence: Not convincing
• Stick to Real-World Evidence: Avoid hypotheticals
• Example: Value of competition
  • General: "I've been competitive my whole life."
  • Specific: "Competed for a starting spot on my high school soccer team."

Specific Evidence Explained

• Definition: Detailed, developed examples that prove the main idea
• Confidence: Write confidently to be convincing
• Structure:
  • One major example or related smaller examples
  • Example followed by commentary (analysis)

Commentary Tips

• Importance: Commentary is crucial
• Keywords: Use "because," "highlights," "illustrates," "demonstrates"

Transforming Evidence

• Practice: Turn general or somewhat specific evidence into specific evidence
• Example Transformation: Soccer example developed further
• Commentary: Follow with commentary about personal growth

Planning Your Essay

• Outline: Plan in advance, prioritize real-world examples
• Filter Ideas: Focus on ones that best prove the thesis
• Line of Reasoning:
  • Logical progression of ideas
  • Determine the best order for ideas

Counterargument Considerations

• Not Required: Only include if it strengthens the essay

Pairing Evidence

• Related Examples: Use for layers of evidence and commentary
• Order and Transitions: Decide best order and transition methods

Conclusion

• Subscription Call: Encourage subscribing and supporting the goal
• Final Tips: Incorporate specific evidence, happy writing!