Defend, Qualify, Refute essays
How do they differ?
Analysis essays explain the rhetorical devices,
structures, (compare-contrast, cause and effect,
definition) figurative language used by the author and
the reasons for the devices.
Defend Qualify refute choose a viewpoint on the
prompt. Writers either agree or disagree with the
prompt, or they can explain the merits of each (saying
some of the claims are correct and others are
incorrect.)
 Create an argument
 Understand the position or assertion
 Agree, disagree, or qualify
 Support your point of view
Work the prompt
 Read and deconstruct the assignment
 Highlight
 Reread the assertion carefully it is very hard
to score above a 5 if you misread the prompt.
Write the essay
 Plan the essay
 address the opposition (anticipated objection)
 Allow for final remarks
 Read aloud to yourself
 Score your own essay
Intros
 Refer specifically to the prompt—use the
words that are given in the prompt
 In your thesis clearly state your position on
the given issue if you agree or disagree.
Body

Make sure you take a paragraph to clearly
summarize what the assertion is saying into
your own words.
o Use a variety of evidence—try to
include at least three different
examples with at least one of them
being a novel of literary merit. (This
will give you at least a six paragraph
essay form)
o Use examples that support your
thesis. Don’t claim you disagree and
then give examples that prove the
assertion is true.
o Fully explain your examples—figure
about a paragraph for each specific
example.
o At some point make a connection
between the prompt and real life
experience.
o Underline the title of novels.
o Try to find evidence that is unique
rather than using examples that
everybody will cite.
Conclusion: Restate your position



Allude to your major points, but not as a mere
listing, instead as a building to a climax (using
parallelism might be effective here.)
Your purpose is to close the sale; to make sure
the reader understands, nay agrees with your
point.
Construct a powerful clincher sentence.
Problems with DRQ’s (as indicated by AP readers)
 Not taking a clear position or wavering
between positions
 Substituting a thesis-oriented expository essay
for an argumentative essay
 Being reluctant to engage in verbal combat
because "everyone's entitled to his or her own
opinion," so there's nothing to argue about
 Slipping out of focus by discussing imagery in
general
 Trying to argue about the topic by using
evidence drawn from a literary reading list
(for example, Othello, The Scarlet Letter) and
sliding off topic into the theme of appearance
and reality
 Lacking clear connections between claims and
the data, and the warrants needed to support
them
 Trying to analyze the author's rhetorical
strategies or her style instead of arguing a
point.
Argumentation Essay
When arguing a position one must first examine the
question for the purpose of the response.
 When asked to defend a position, one must
explain the merits of the position--what makes
it a workable, viable position. Supporting
arguments would not merely restate, but
actually develop the position.
 When asked to refute a position, one must
explain the problems with the position—why
it is not a workable, viable position.
Arguments should anticipate how the
opposing reader might react to the supporting
arguments and respond accordingly.
 When asked to qualify a position, the writer
recognizes the merits of a position (claim) but
then proceeds to disagree with the position
citing specific evidence. Avoid using
concrete words such as all,, none, always,
never.
Special Focus:
Writing Persuasively
The Morgan Horse Revisited: Using AP Samples for Revisions
Mary Jo Potts
Webb School
Knoxville, Tennessee
Prompt for DRQ question.
Contemporary life is marked by controversy. Choose a controversial local, national, or global issue with
which you are familiar. Then, using appropriate evidence, write an essay that carefully considers the
opposing positions on this controversy and proposes a solution or compromise.
The workshop materials included a range of responses representing various levels of student writing. But one lowerrange example, a focus on impropriety in the Morgan Horse Association, caught the group’s attention in a striking
way.
2004 AP English Language Exam, Question 2
Sample Essay P: The Morgan Horse
Eight years ago, a black horse was born. This horse grew up to be a great show horse. FCF Rhythm Nation,
as he was named, was a born competitor, and received countless awards, including multiple world championships.
Soon after his successful career as a show horse he was put up for stud as a breeding stallion, availible to mares all
over the country. It must now be pointed out that FCF Rhythm Nation was a registered Morgan horse, and all the
mares he bred to were Morgans as well. The Morgan horse, America’s first original breed of horse, is bred to be a
great athelete, and bloodlines are carefully analyed to insure the best possible offspring.
“Nate” sired several foals, all of which went on to be successful show horses themselves and, in some
cases, have offspring of their own. It was then discovered that Nate wasn’t a Morgan. In fact, he was half
Saddlebred, an entirely different breed. As it turned out, the man who bred Nate in the first place knew. He purposely
bred a Morgan stallion to a Saddlebred mare and, by changing the mare’s name and claiming she was a Morgan,
registered Nate as a full-blooded Morgan.
The Morgan Horse Association panicked. Suddenly over 40 horses in the registry were found to be related to
Nate, and therefore could not be considered Morgans. Intent on keeping the breed pure, the Association decided to
remove the horses from the registry altogether, therefore forbidding them to compete or breed. Furious owners
retaliated, and dozens of court hearings and lawsuits took place, eventually leaving the Association with under
$1,000 in its bank account.
Finally, the American Morgan Horse Association won out over the course of two years of controversy. Still,
the owners of the expelled horses need somewhere to compete. These horses had cost them thousands of dollars,
and they refused to lose that amount of money in horses they couldn’t use. The Association discussed the situation
and decided to create a special “open breed” competition at Morgan show. Now not only can these talented horses
compete, but the Morgan Horse can remain pure.