MsEffie’s List of Advanced Placement® Language and Composition Prompts (1981 to 20 23)*

*Advanced Placement® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this website.

YEAR Question 1 Question 2 Question 3

1981 “The Rattler”- analyze effect on reader – consider George Bernard Shaw letter – describe writer’s attitude Thomas Szasz – argue for or against his position on the
organization, point of view, language, detail. toward mother & her cremation – diction and detail struggle for definition. Use readings, study, or
experience.
1982 A reading on happiness – summarize his reasons for his Analyze the strategies or devices (organization, diction, Describe a place, conveying feeling through concrete
opinion and explain why you agree or not with his opinion tone, detail) that make Gov. Stevenson’s Cat Veto and specific detail.
argument effective.
1983 A quote on change - Select a change for the better that has Excerpt from Thomas Carlyle’s Past and Present – Agree or disagree with the position in the passage on
occurred or that you want to occur; analyze its desirable define Carlyle’s attitude toward work and analyze how living in an era of language inflation by considering the
and undesirable effects he uses language to convince…. ethical and social consequences of language inflation.
1984 Explain the nature and importance of two or three means Percy Bysshe Shelley and John Milton – two very short A passage on a boxing match between Benny Paret, a
by which you keep track of time and discuss how these quotes on freedom – describe the concept of freedom in Cuban, and Emile Griffith – Analyze how diction,
means reveal your person. (Hint given about “inner each; discuss the differences. syntax, imagery, and tome produce an effect on the
clocks.”) reader.
1985 Contrast stylistic and rhetorical differences between two Discuss the probable reasons for an anonymous writer’s Defend a position or one or more issues raised in the
passages on the Soviet Launch of the first space satellite additions and deletions and the ways in which those passage about the state of television in the United
revisions change the effect of the paragraph. Two drafts States.
that record the writer’s thoughts on how the experience
of war affected his attitude toward language.
1986 Explain how two passages by N. Scott Momaday and Dee Choose one or more pairs of words from a list and Evaluate the truth of the assertion in the quotation that
Brown, which describe similar landscapes, reveal the discuss and elaborate on the distinctions between the human nature wants patterns, standards, and structures
differences in the authors’ purposes. Consider diction, paired words. Consider how, when, why, and by whom of behavior.
syntax, imagery, and tone. each word might be used.
1987 Agree or disagree with E. M. Forster’s view that personal Analyze how Zora Neale Hurston enriches our sense of Describe some major features of the language used in
relations are more important than causes or patriotism. her childhood world through her diction and one specific group – occupational, ethnic, social, or age,
manipulation of point of view. etc. Indicate the purpose these features serve or what
influences they reflect.
1988 Evaluate Alexis De Tocqueville’s assertions about Analyze Frederick Douglass’ language, especially the Pretend to contribute to a magazine or newspaper; write
democracy and aristocracy and his assertion that figures of speech and syntax, to convey his states of an article describing a place you know well that might
democracy “throws [man] back forever upon himself mind upon escaping slavery and arriving in New York be of interest to readers. Define the significance, use
alone.” in 1838. descriptive detail to make attitude clear.
1989 Argue for or against the validity of the implied criticism of Describe the rhetorical purpose of Martin Luther King’s Missing
a church bulletin [text given] reprinted without other Why We Can’t Wait. Analyze its stylistic, narrative, and
comment in a magazine under the heading “The Religious persuasive devices.
Life.”
1990 From an autobiography of a professional woman pilot in Analyze stylistic and rhetorical differences between two Vividly and concretely describe one person seen at two
Africa, analyze how the author’s juxtaposition of ideas, nineteenth century descriptions of the Galapagos different times or in two different situations so readers
choice of details, and other aspects of style reveal her Islands understand the difference in your attitude, thus proving
personality. perceptions of people differ according to people’s
attitudes and circumstances
1991 Analyze the language and rhetorical devices Igor Analyze how Richard Rodriquez’s presentation of the Write a persuasive essay that defends, challenges, or
Stravinsky uses to convey his point of view about events in the passage suggests his attitude toward his qualifies the assertion that “For in much wisdom is
orchestra conductors. family and himself. Consider narrative structure, detail, much grief, and increase of knowledge is increase of
manipulation of language, and tone. sorrow” (Ecclesiastes).
1992 Analyze Queen Elizabeth I’s diction, imagery, and Using your observation, experience, or reading, defend, Considering the choice of the word “cripple” and other
sentence structure to achieve her purpose in her speech to challenge, or qualify Joseph Addison’s assertion that rhetorical features, such as tone, word choice, and
her troops at Tilbury, 1588. men use ridicule to “laugh men out of virtue and good rhetorical structure, analyze how Nancy Mairs, who has
sense.” multiple sclerosis, presents herself.
1993 Compare the rhetorical strategies – such as arguments, Defend, challenge, or qualify H. L. Mencken’s views Read the paragraph for E. M. Forster’s 1936 essay “My
assumptions, attitudes, diction – used by characters from about the artist’s relation to society. Refer to particular Wood.” Define Forster’s attitude toward the experience
Jane Austen (1813) and Charles Dickens (1865). writers, composers, or other artists. of owning property and analyze that attitude; consider
Comment on both intended and probable effects of the Forster’s word choice, manipulation of sentences, and
proposals on the women being addressed use of Biblical Allusions
1994 From an excerpt of Sir George Savile’s essay about King Defend, challenge, or qualify Barbara Tuchman’s claim Characterize and analyze Joan Didion’s view of the
Charles II (1630 – 1685), define the attitude Savile would that “wooden- headedness plays a remarkably large role Santa Ana winds. Consider her stylistic elements, such
like us to adopt about Charles II and analyze the rhetorical … in human affairs.” Use evidence and/or your as diction, imagery, syntax, structure, tone, and
strategies employed to promote that attitude. observations. (From The March of Folly) selection of detail.
1995 In 1860, John Ruskin argued for giving precedence to the Analyze the rhetorical techniques Ellen Goodman uses After reading his paragraph, defend, challenge, or
soldier rather than to the merchant or manufacturer. to convey her attitude toward Phil, the subject of her qualify James Baldwin’s ideas about the importance of
Evaluate his argument. (Excerpt included) piece, “The Company Man.” language as a “key to identity” and social acceptance.
Use your observation, experience, or readings.
1996 Read the passage from Lady Mary Wortley Montague’s Read the passage from A Summer Life and analyze Using your own knowledge and experience, defend,
letter to her daughter. Analyze how Lady Mary (1689 – some of the ways in which Gary Soto recreates the challenge, or qualify Lewis Lapham’s view of “the
1762) uses rhetorical strategies and stylistic devices to experience of his guilty six-year old self. Consider such American faith in money” from Money and Class in
convey her views about the role knowledge played in the devices as contrast, reputation, pacing, diction, and America. (25 line excerpt included.)
lives of women of her time. imagery.
1997 Read the passage from Meena Alexander’s Fault Lines Read the passage from the 1845 Narrative of the Life of Using your own critical understanding of contemporary
and analyze how Alexander uses language to explore and Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, noting such society, agree or disagree with Neil Postman’s assertion
represent her fractured identity. elements as syntax, figurative language, and selection that Aldous Huxley’s vision of society in Brave New
of detail. Write an essay in which you identify stylistic World is more relevant today than is George Orwell’s in
elements that distinguish third paragraph from the rest 1984.
of the passage and discuss how that difference is
significant
1998 Paying particular attention to tone, analyze the techniques From Henry James’s novel The Portrait of a Lady, read After reading the two letters between an executive of
Charles Lamb uses to decline William Wordsworth’s the conversation between Madame Merle and Isabel the Coca-Cola company and a representative of Grove
invitation to visit him in the country. Archer, noting their conflicting views about what Press, analyze the rhetorical strategies each writer uses
constitutes the self. In a persuasive essay, demonstrate to achieve his purpose and explain which letter offers
which of the two conceptions of the self has greater the more persuasive case.
validity. Use specific evidence from your observation,
experience or reading.
1999 After reading two passages about Florida’s Okefenokee After reading the [3 columns long] opening from After thinking about the implications of the excerpt
Swamp, analyze how the distinctive style of each reveals Jamaica Kincaid’s essay, “On Seeing England for the from Antigone, explore the validity of the assertion that
the purpose of its writer. First Time,” analyze the rhetorical strategies Kincaid “The only / Crime is pride.” Use examples from your
employs to convey her attitude toward England. reading, observation, or experience.
2000 Eudora Welty recalls reading and books that influenced George Orwell uses Gandhi to argue for choosing Paraphrase King Lear’s comment that wealth covers sin
her craft as a writer. Analyze how Welty’s language human imperfection over sainthood. Analyze how and injustice. Defend, challenge, or qualify his view of
conveys intensity and value of reading. Orwell criticizes Gandhi’s position & how Orwell the relationship between wealth and justice.
develops his own position.
2001 George Eliot’s letter to an American woman M. F. Peirce. Analyze how Mary Oliver’s style about owls conveys Support, refute, qualify Susan Sontag’s claim that
Analyze the rhetorical strategies Eliot uses to establish her the complexity of her response to nature. photography limits understanding of the world. Use
position about the development of a writer. appropriate evidence.
2002 Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address was a short speech in Analyze how Virginia Woolf uses language to convey Support, refute, or qualify Czech writer Milan
which he contemplated the effects of the Civil War and the lasting significance of moments she recalls from her Kundera’s claims as expressed in an excerpt from
offered his vision for the future. Analyze the rhetorical childhood spent in a seaside village in Cornwall, Testaments Betrayed. Use appropriate evidence.
strategies Lincoln used to achieve his purpose. England.
2003 Defend, challenge, qualify Neal Gabler’s assertion that Analyze the methods of Alfred Green’s 1861 speech to Compare and contrast how John James Audubon and
entertainment has the capacity to ruin society. persuade his fellow African Americans to join the Annie Dillard each describe a flock of birds in flight
Union forces. and how they convey the birds’ effect on the writer as
observer.
2004 Analyze how the rhetorical strategies used by Lord Choose a controversial local, national, or global issue Analyze how Richard Rodriguez uses contrasts between
Chesterfield in his letter to his son revel his own values. with which you are familiar and use appropriate central Mexico and California to convey and explore his
evidence I an essay that carefully considers the conflicting feelings in an excerpt from Days of
opposing positions on this controversy ad proposes a Obligation.
solution or compromise.
2005 Passage from “Training for Statesmanship” by George A mock press release from The Onion. Analyze the Peter Singer argues that prosperous people should
Kennan. Select his most compelling observation and strategies used in the article to satirize how products are donate to overseas aid organizations all money not
consider the extent to which that observation holds true. marketed to consumers. needed for the basic requirements of life. Evaluate the
pros and cons of his argument and indicate which
position you find more persuasive.
2005 Lecture delivered in Boston in 1832 by Maria Stewart, John Barry describes the complex mechanics of the Passage from The Medusa and the Snail by Lewis
Form African American educator and writer. Analyze the Mississippi River in Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Thomas. Drawing on your own reading and experience,
B rhetorical strategies Stewart uses to convey her position. Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America. Analyze write an essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies
how Barry communications his fascination with the Thomas’s claims.
river to his readers.
2006 Jennifer Price’s essay examines the popularity of the pink William Hazlitt’s “On the Want of Money.” Analyze From talk radio to television w, to popular magazines to
plastic flamingo in the 1950s. Analyze how Price crafts the rhetorical strategies he uses to develop his position Web blogs ordinary citizens, political figures, and
the text to reveal her view of U. S. culture. about money. entertainers express their opinions on a wide range of
topics. Take a position on the value of such public
statements of opinion.
2006 In a well-written essay that draws upon your reading, Passage from George Bernard Shaw’s Saint Joan. Passage by philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. Write an
Form experience, or observations for support, take a position on Analyze the rhetorical strategies the Inquisitor uses to essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies one of
B the issue of compulsory voting. argue his case against Joan. Schopenhauer’s claims.
2007 First Synthesis – based on six sources, all about In Staying Put: Making a Home in a Restless World, Develop a position on the ethics of offering incentives
advertising. Develop a position on the effects of Scott Russell Sanders responds to an essay by Salman for charitable acts and support your position with
advertising and synthesize at least three of the sources for Rushdie, both of which discuss the effect of mass evidence from your reading, observation, and/or
support. migrations. Analyze the strategies Sanders uses to experience.
develop his perspective about moving.
2007 Based on six sources concerning museum artifacts and In the Introduction to Poison Penmanship: The Gentle Speech delivered by Wendell Phillips, a prominent
Form decisions made to include a particular piece of art or an Art of Muckraking, Jessica Mitford says that it is an white American abolitionist, praising Toussaint
B artifact. Develop a position on the most important honor to be considered a muckraker. Do you agree or L’Ouverture, Haitian liberator. Analyze the strategies
considerations facing the person responsible for securing a do you think that journalists who search out and expose the speaker uses to praise his subject and move his
new work of art or an artifact for a museum. Synthesize at real or apparent misconduct go too far in the pursuit of audience.
least three of the sources for support. their stories. Explain your position.
2008 Based on seven sources concerning the elimination of the Passage from John M. Barry’s The Great Influenza. Some people argue that corporate partnerships are a
penny as the smallest American denomination. Develop a Analyze how Barry uses rhetorical strategies to necessity for cash-strapped schools. Others argue that
position on whether or not the penny should be eliminated characterize scientific research. schools should provide an environment free from ads
and synthesize at least three of the sources for support. and corporate influence. Using appropriate evidence,
write an essay in which you evaluate the pros and cons
of corporate sponsorship for schools and indicate why
you find one position more persuasive than the other.
2008 Based on six sources concerning a defined national school Passage from “America Needs Its Nerds” by Leonid Read an excerpt from The Decline of Radicalism by
Form curriculum. Develop a position on whether or not there Fridman. Analyze how Fridman develops his argument. Daniel Boorstin and consider the implications of the
B should be specific texts that all students of high school distinction Boorstin makes between dissent and
English should read. Synthesize at least three of the disagreement. Defend, challenge, or qualify Boosrtin’s
sources for support. distinction.
2009 Based on eight sources concerning space exploration. Two passages from Edwin Wilson’s The Future of Life Write an essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies
Develop a position about what issues should be considered satirizing the language of two groups that hold Horace’s assertion that the role of adversity (financial or
most important in making decisions about space opposing attitudes about environmentalism. Analyze political hardship, danger, misfortune, etc.) plays in
exploration and synthesize at least three of the sources for how Wilson’s satire illustrates the unproductive nature developing a person’s character. Support your
support. of such discussions. argument with evidence from your reading, observation,
or experience
2009 Based on seven sources concerning public education. Passage from “The Indispensable Opposition” by Passage from The Worst Years of Our Lives by Barbara
Form Choose an issue related to the tension in schools between Walter Lippmann. Analyze the strategies Lippmann Ehrenreich, about life in the 1980s. Support, refute, or
B individuality and conformity. Write an essay in which you uses to develop his argument. qualify Ehrenreich’s assertions about television.
use this issue to argue the extent to which schools should
support individuality or conformity. Synthesize at least
three of the sources for support.

2010 Based on six sources concerning information technology. Excerpt from letter from Benjamin Banneker, former In his 2004 book, Status Anxiety, Alain de Botton
Our daily lives seem to be saturated with television, slave, to Thomas Jefferson (1791). Write an essay that argues that the chief aim of humorists is not merely to
computers, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), analyzes how Banneker uses rhetorical strategies to entertain but “to convey with impunity messages that
and MP3 players, etc. In an essay that synthesizes at least argue against slavery. might be dangerous or impossible to state directly.”
three of the sources for support, evaluate the most Think about the implications of de Botton’s view of the
important factors that a school should consider before role of humorists (cartoonists, stand-up comics, satirical
using particular technologies in curriculum and writers, hosts of television programs, etc.). Then write
instruction. an essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies de
Botton’s claim.
2010 Based on six sources concerning daylight savings time. Passage from The Horizontal World, Debra Marquart’s The first Buy Nothing Day—a day on which people are
Form Synthesize at least three of the sources into an essay that 2006 memoir about growing up in North Dakota. urged to purchase no goods—was organized in Canada
B evaluates daylight saving time and offers a Analyze the strategies Marquart uses to characterize the in 1992 as a way to increase awareness of excessive
recommendation about its continued use. upper Midwest. consumerism. Consider the implications of a day on
which no goods are purchased. Then write an essay in
which you develop a position on the establishment of an
annual Buy Nothing Day.
2011 Based on seven sources concerning locavores, people who Speech by Florence Kelley (1859-1932), a United Passage from Rights of Man, a book written by the
have decided to eat locally grown or produced products as States social worker and reformer who fought pamphleteer Thomas Paine in 1791. Born in England,
much as possible, for sustainability and nutrition. Imagine successfully for child labor laws and improved Paine was an intellectual, a revolutionary, and a
that a community is considering organizing a locavore conditions for working women, delivered before the supporter of American independence from England.
movement. In an essay that synthesizes at least three of the convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Write an essay that examines the extent to which
sources identify the key issues associated with the Association in Philadelphia on July 22, 1905. Analyze Paine’s characterization of America holds true today.
locavore movement and examine their implications for the the rhetorical strategies Kelley uses to convey her
community. message about child labor to her audience.
2011 Based on six sources concerning green living (practices Letter written by Samuel Johnson in response to a American essayist and social critic H. L. Mencken
Form that promote the conservation and wise use of natural woman who had asked him to obtain the archbishop of (1880–1956) wrote, “The average man does not want to
B resources). Synthesize at least three of the sources into an Canterbury’s patronage to have her son sent to the be free. He simply wants to be safe.” Examine the
essay that develops a position on the extent to which university. Write an essay in which you analyze how extent to which Mencken’s observation applies to
government should be responsible for fostering green Johnson crafts his denial of the woman’s request. contemporary society, supporting your position with
practices. appropriate evidence.
2012 Based on eight sources concerning the US Postal Service. On April 10, 1962, as the United States was emerging Consider the distinct perspectives expressed in the
Synthesize information from at least three of the sources from a recession, the nation’s largest steel companies following statements.
and incorporate it into a coherent, well-developed essay raised steel prices by 3.5 percent. President John F. “If you develop the absolute sense of certainty that powerful
that argues a clear position on whether the USPS should Kennedy, who had repeatedly called for stable prices beliefs provide, then you can get
be restructured to meet the needs of a changing world, and and wages as part of a program of national sacrifice yourself to accomplish virtually anything, including those
things that other people are certain are impossible.” --William
if so, how. during a period of economic distress, held a news
Lyon Phelps, American educator, journalist, and professor
conference on April 11, 1962, which he opened with the (1865–1943)
following commentary regarding the hike in steel “I think we ought always to entertain our opinions with
prices. Write an essay in which you analyze the some measure of doubt. I shouldn’t wish people dogmatically
rhetorical strategies President Kennedy uses to achieve to believe any philosophy, not even mine.” --Bertrand Russell,
his purpose. British author, mathematician, and philosopher (1872–1970)
In a well-organized essay, take a position on the
relationship between certainty and doubt. Support your
argument with appropriate evidence and examples.
2013 The need to memorialize events or people is complex; in Passage from Last Child in the Woods by Richard For centuries, prominent thinkers have pondered the
some cases, monuments honor moments of great Louv. Write an essay in which you analyze the relationship between ownership and the development of
achievement, while in other cases, monuments pay rhetorical strategies Louv uses to develop his argument self (identity), ultimately asking the question, “What
homage to deep sacrifice. A monument’s size, location, about the separation between people and nature. does it mean to own something?”
and materials are all considerations in planning and Plato argues that owning objects is detrimental to a
creating a memorial to the past. person’s character. Aristotle claims that ownership of
Based on seven sources concerning memorialization. tangible goods helps to develop moral character.
Synthesize information from at least three of the sources Twentieth-century philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre
and incorporate into an essay that examines the factors a proposes that ownership extends beyond objects to
group or agency should consider in memorializing an include intangible things as well. In Sartre’s view,
event or person and in creating a monument. becoming proficient in some skill and knowing
something thoroughly means that we “own” it.
Think about the differing views of ownership. Then
write an essay in which you explain your position on the
relationship between ownership and sense of self. Use
appropriate evidence from your reading, experience, or
observations to support your argument.
2014 Many recent college graduates have faced record levels of In a letter, Abigail Adams writes to her son John Authors Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman published “The
unemployment. This situation has led people to question Quincy Adams, who is traveling abroad with his father, Creativity Crisis” in Newsweek.com in July 2010. They
what they value about higher education. Some high school John Adams, a United States diplomat and later the reported that the Torrance Test, a test of creativity that has
been administered to millions of people worldwide in 50
students and their parents are wondering if a college country’s second president. In a well-developed essay,
languages, indicates that the public’s “creativity quotient” has
education is worth the cost. Others, however, believe that analyze the rhetorical strategies Adams uses to advise steadily crept downward since 1990. In their article, Bronson
a college education prepares students for more than just a her son. and Merryman cite the claim of Professor Kyung Hee Kim at
job or career. the College of William and Mary: “It’s very clear, and the
Based on six sources concerning the value of a college decrease is very significant.” Kim reports that it is the scores
education. Synthesize information from at least three of of younger children in America—from kindergarten through
the sources and incorporate it into a coherent, well- sixth grade—for whom the decline is “most serious.”
developed essay that evaluates Bronson and Merryman state that “[t]he potential
consequences are sweeping. The necessity of human ingenuity
whether college is worth its cost.
is undisputed. A recent IBM poll of 1,500 CEOs identified
creativity as the No. 1 ‘leadership competency’ of the future.
Yet it’s not just about sustaining our nation’s economic
growth. All around us are matters of national and international
importance that are crying out for creative solutions, from
saving the Gulf of Mexico to bringing peace to Afghanistan to
delivering health care. Such solutions emerge from a healthy
marketplace of ideas, sustained by a populace constantly
contributing original ideas and receptive to the ideas of others.”
One possible approach to this reputed decline in creativity is
to explicitly teach creative thinking in school. Write to your
school board explaining what you mean by creativity and
arguing for or against the creation of a class in creativity.
2015 Many high schools, colleges, and universities have honor On the tenth anniversary of the assassination of Dr. An anthropologist studying first-year students at a
codes or honor systems: sets of rules or principles that are Martin Luther King, Jr., labor union organizer and civil university in the United States writes that friendly
intended to cultivate integrity. These rules or principles rights leader Cesar Chavez published an article in the phrases like “How are you?,” “Nice to meet you,” and
often take the form of written positions on practices like magazine of a religious organization devoted to helping “Let’s get in touch” communicate politeness rather than
cheating, stealing, and plagiarizing as well as on the those in need. Read the following excerpt from the literal intent. What, if anything, is the value or function
consequences of violating the established codes. article carefully. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze of such polite speech?
Based on six sources, synthesize information from at the rhetorical choices Chavez makes to develop his In a well-written essay, develop your position on the
least three of the sources and incorporate it into a coherent, argument about nonviolent resistance. value or function of polite speech in a culture or
well-developed argument for your own position on community with which you are familiar. Use
whether your school should establish, maintain, revise, or appropriate evidence from your reading, experience, or
eliminate an honor code or honor system. observations to support your argument.

2016 Over the past several decades, the English language has On June 11, 2004, Margaret Thatcher, the former prime In 1891, Irish Oscar Wilde observed, “Disobedience, in
become increasingly globalized, and it now seen by many minister of Great Britain, delivered the following the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man’s
as the dominant language in international finance, science, eulogy to the American people in honor of the former original virtue. It is through disobedience that progress
and politics. Concurrent with the worldwide spread of United States president Ronald Reagan, with whom she has been made, through disobedience and through
English is the decline of foreign-language learning in had worked closely. Read the eulogy carefully. Then, in rebellion.”
English-speaking countries, where monolingual English a well-developed essay, analyze the rhetorical strategies Wilde claims that disobedience is a valuable human
speakers are at a disadvantage today. that Thatcher uses to convey her message. trait and that it promotes social progress. Write an essay
Carefully read the following six sources, including the that argues your position on the extent to which Wilde’s
introductory information for each source. Then synthesize claims are valid. Use appropriate examples from your
information from at least three of the sources and reading, experience, or observations to support your
incorporate it into a coherent, well-developed essay that argument.
argues a clear position on whether monolingual English
speakers are at a disadvantage today.
2017 As the Internet changes what and how people read, there The passage below is the opening to a speech made in The passage below in an excerpt from Empire of
has been considerable debate about the future of public 1960 by American journalist and politician Clare Illusion by Chris Hedges. Read the passage carefully.
libraries. While some commentators question whether Boothe Luce to journalists at the Women’s National Then write an essay in which you develop a position on
libraries can stay relevant, others see new possibilities for Press Club. In this speech, Luce went o to criticize the Hedges’ argument that ”the mot essential skill…is
libraries in the changing dynamics of today’s society. tendency of the American press to sacrifice journalistic artifice.” Use appropriate, specific evidence to illustrate
Carefully read the following six sources, including the integrity in favor of the perceived public demand for and develop your position.
introductory information for each source. Then synthesize sensationalist stories. Read the passage carefully. Then, The most essential skill in political theater and a consumer
information from at least three of the sources and in a well-developed essay, analyze how Luce uses this culture is artifice. Political leaders, who use the tools of mass
incorporate it into a coherent, well-developed essay in introduction to prepare the audience for her message. propaganda to create a sense of faux intimacy with citizens no
longer need to be competent, sincere, or honest. They need
which you develop a position on the role, if any, that Support your analysis of her rhetoric with specific
only to appear to have these qualities. Most of all they need a
public libraries should serve in the future. references to the text. story, a personal narrative. The reality of the narrative is
irrelevant. It can be completely at odds with the facts. The
consistency and emotional appeal of the story are paramount.
Those who are best at deception succeed. Those who have not
mastered the art of entertainment, who fail to create a narrative
or do not have one fashioned.”
An image-based culture communicates through narratives,
pictures, and pseudo-drama.
2018 Eminent domain is the power governments have to acquire In 1997, then United States Secretary of State In her book Gift from the Sea, author and aviator Anne
property from private owners for public use. The rationale Madeleine Albright gave the commencement speech to Morrow Lindbergh (1906-2001) writes, “We tend not to
behind eminent domain is that governments have greater the graduating class at Mount Holyoke College, a choose the unknown which might be a shock or
legal authority over lands with their dominion than do women’s college in Massachusetts. Reads the following disappointment or simply a little difficult to cope with.
private owners. Eminent domain has been instituted in one excerpt from her speech carefully. Then write a well- And yet it is the unknown with all its disappointments
way or another throughout the world for hundreds of developed essay in which you analyze the choices and surprises that is the most enriching.”
years. Albright makes to convey her message to her audience. Consider the value Lindbergh places on the
Carefully read the following six sources, including the unknown. Then write an essay in which you develop
introductory information for each source. The synthesize your own position on the value of exploring the
materials from at least three of the sources and incorporate unknown. Use appropriate, specific evidence to
it into a coherent, well-developed essay that defends, illustrate and develop your position.
challenges, or qualifies the notion that eminent domain is
productive and beneficial.
2019 In response to our society’s increasing demand for energy, In 1930 Mohandas “Mahatma” Gandhi led a nonviolent The term “overrated” is often used to diminish
large-scale wind power has drawn attention from march in India protesting Britain’s colonial monopoly concepts, places, roles, etc. that the speaker believes do
governments and consumers as potential alternative to on and taxation of an essential resource: salt. The Salt not deserve the prestige they commonly enjoy; for
traditional materials that fuel our power grids, such as March, as it came to be known, was a triggering example, many writers have argued that success is
coal, oil, natural gas, water, or even newer sources such as moment for the larger civil disobedience movement that overrated, a character in a novel by Anthony Burgess
nuclear or solar power. Yet the establishment of large- eventually won India independence from Britain in famously describes Rome as a “vastly overrated city,”
scale, commercial-grade wind farms is often the subject of 1947. Shortly before the Salt March, Gandhi had and Queen Rania of Jordan herself has asserted that
controversy for a variety of reasons. written to Viceroy Lord Irwin, the representative of the “[b]eing queen is overrated.”
Carefully read the following six sources, including the British crown in India. The passage below is the Select a concept, place, role, etc. to which you
introductory information for each source. Then synthesize conclusion of that letter. Read the passage carefully. believe that the term “overrated” should be applied.,
material from at least three of the sources and incorporate Then, in a well-written essay, analyze the rhetorical Then, write a well-developed essay in which you
it into a coherent, well-written essay in which you develop choices Gandhi makes to present his case to Lord Irwin. explain your judgment. Use appropriate evidence from
your position on the most important factors that an your reading, experience, or observations to support
individual or agency should consider when deciding your argument.
whether to establish a wind farm.
2021 In the nineteenth and most of the twentieth centuries, On February 27, 2013, while in office, former president Many people spend long hours trying to achieve
handwriting instruction (print and cursive) was virtually Barack Obama delivered the following address perfection in their personal or professional lives.
universal in schools in the United States. By contrast, little dedicating the Rosa Parks statue in the National Similarly, people often demand perfection from others,
if any time is devoted to such lessons today. While some Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol building. creating expectations that may be challenging to live up
argue that handwriting instruction should still have a place Rosa Parks was an African American civil rights to. In contrast, some people think perfection is not
in schooling, others maintain that digital technologies have activist who was arrested in 1955 for refusing to give attainable or desirable.
rendered such instruction unnecessary. up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Write an essay that argues your position on the
Carefully read the following six sources, including the Alabama. Read the passage carefully. Write an essay value of striving for perfection.
introductory information for each source. Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Obama makes to
that synthesizes material from at least three of the sources convey his message.
and develops your position on the place, if any, of
handwriting instruction in today’s schools.
2022 Since the early 2000s, the United States government and a Born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents, Sonia Colin Powell, a four-star general and former United
number of corporations have sponsored initiatives to Sotomayor was appointed a United States Supreme States secretary of state, wrote in his 1995
improve education in the STEM disciplines: science, Court Justice in 2009, becoming the first Latina justice autobiography: “[W]e do not have the luxury of
technology, engineering, and mathematics. The emphasis of the U.S. Supreme Court. She delivered the speech “A collecting information indefinitely. At some point,
on STEM subjects in elementary, secondary, and higher Latina Judge’s Voice” at the University of California, before we can have every possible fact in hand, we have
education reflects concerns that United States students are Berkeley, School of Law in 2001 when she was an to decide. The key is not to make quick decisions, but to
less proficient in these areas than are students in other appeals-court judge. The following passage is an make timely decisions.”
countries. Additionally, there is a belief that mastery in excerpt from that speech. Read the passage carefully. Write an essay that argues your position on the
STEM fields is now essential in order to join a highly Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices extent to which Powell’s claim about making decisions
technical and specialized workforce. However, not Sotomayor makes to convey her message about her is valid.
everyone is convinced that a STEM-focused curriculum is identity.
necessary and/or effective.
Carefully read the following six sources, including the
introductory information for each source. Write an essay
that synthesizes material from at least three of the sources
and develops your position on the value, if any, of
initiatives to improve STEM education and increase the
number of students interested in the STEM disciplines.
2022 Urban rewilding is an effort to restore natural ecological On May 21, 2016, the poet Rita Dove delivered a In a 2016 interview published in the Los Angeles
Set 1 processes and habitats in city environments. Many cities commencement address to graduating students at the Review of Books, Maxine Hong Kingston, an award-
around the world have embraced rewilding as part of University of Virginia at Charlottesville, where she was winning writer famous for her novels depicting the
larger movements to promote ecological conservation and a professor of English at the time. Dove received a experiences of Chinese immigrants in the United States,
environmentally friendly design. Now, a movement to Pulitzer Prize for her poetry and served as the United stated: “I
promote urban rewilding is beginning to take shape in the States poet laureate from 1993 to 1995. She also writes think that individual voices are not as strong as a
United States as well. in a variety of genres including fiction and drama. The community of voices. If we can make a community of
Carefully read the six sources, including the following is an excerpt from her speech. Read the voices, then we can speak more truth.”
introductory information for each source. Write an essay passage carefully. Write an essay that analyzes the Write an essay that argues your position on the
that synthesizes material from at least three of the sources rhetorical choices Dove makes to convey her message extent to which Kingston’s claim about the importance
and develops your position on the extent to which about what she wishes for her audience of graduating of creating a community of voices is valid.
rewilding initiatives are worthwhile for urban students.
communities to pursue.
2022 Vertical farms are indoor agricultural facilities in which Michelle Obama was the First Lady of the United States In a 2018 interview about the importance of
Set 2 plants are grown, often in a hydroponic (soilless) during the presidential administration of her husband, collaboration, then United States Representative Carlos
environment, on tall stacks of shelves. Plants are given Barack Obama (2009–2017). During that Curbelo stated: “If you’re trying to convince someone
water, nutrients, and light mostly through automated administration, she led programs including the Reach that they need to get involved in an issue or perhaps
processes. Advocates say that vertical farms are key to Higher Initiative, which encourages students to change their thinking on an issue, trying to scare them is
providing food for the future, yielding high-quality continue their education after high school. One way it not always effective and can actually sow 1resentment.”
produce while making efficient use of land and water. does so is by supporting high school counselors’ efforts Write an essay that argues your position on the
Critics warn about the energy consumption associated with to get students into college. On January 6, 2017, Obama extent to which Curbelo’s claim about persuading
vertical farms’ automated processes as well as problems gave her final speech as First Lady at an event honoring others is valid.
related to cost and nutritional value. outstanding school counselors. The following passage is
Carefully read the following six sources, including the an excerpt from that speech. Read the passage carefully.
introductory information for each source. Write an essay Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices
that synthesizes material from at least three of the sources Obama makes to convey her message about her
and develops your position on the value, if any, of vertical expectations and hope for young people in the United
farms to the future of agriculture States.
2012 Based on eight sources concerning the US Postal Service. On April 10, 1962, as the United States was emerging Consider the distinct perspectives expressed in the
Synthesize information from at least three of the sources from a recession, the nation’s largest steel companies following statements.
and incorporate it into a coherent, well-developed essay that raised steel prices by 3.5 percent. President John F. “If you develop the absolute sense of certainty that
argues a Kennedy, who had repeatedly called for stable prices and powerful beliefs provide, then you can get
clear position on whether the USPS should be restructured wages as part of a program of national sacrifice during a yourself to accomplish virtually anything, including
to meet the needs of a changing world, and if so, how. period of economic distress, held a news conference on those things that other people are certain are impossible.”
April 11, 1962, which he opened with the following --William Lyon Phelps, American educator, journalist,
commentary regarding the hike in steel prices. Write an and professor (1865–1943)
essay in which you analyze the rhetorical strategies “I think we ought always to entertain our opinions with
President Kennedy uses to achieve his purpose. some measure of doubt. I shouldn’t wish people
dogmatically to believe any philosophy, not even mine.”
--Bertrand Russell, British author, mathematician, and
philosopher (1872–1970)
In a well-organized essay, take a position on the
relationship between certainty and doubt. Support your
argument with appropriate evidence and examples.