AP Government
FRQ Definitions
These are summaries found on this College Board site
List or Identify
• A simple list of characteristics or factors
• No explanation is needed
Define
• Provide the meaning for the word or concept
• Examples are VERY useful
• Significance is sometimes requested as a part of definition
Describe
• This is often asked in "What" terms (Describe what _____________)
• MORE THAN A LIST OR DEFINITION
• Use the reasons that the phenomenon exists or the results of it.
Discuss
• Usually includes the relationship between multiple concepts
• Use Identifying, Describing, and Explaining in a discussion
Explain
• Exploring casual relationships between political phenomena
• Should Identify and Discuss patterns in the relationships between
concepts
Compare/Contrast
• Use specific links to compare two or more items
• Make sure to find the similarities AND the differences
Evaluate/Assess
• Determining how well something meets a standard
• Generally requires a thesis (a claim)
• Make sure to identify criteria used to make a decision
• Use specific examples for support
• Examples MUST be directly linked to thesis
Analyze
• Separate concepts into specific pieces to understand the whole
• Should result in a specific conclusion
• Conclusion should be supported by specific evidence or well reasoned
arguments
Write a Clear, Concise, and WellSupported Response
• Marshal evidence to document and support their statements
• Make use of concrete examples to demonstrate the main points of their
arguments.
• They should explicitly define important terms and use the clearest, most
direct terms possible.
• A direct, clear answer is likely to earn more points than a vague,
rambling, ambiguous response.