AP English Language and Composition · Exam guide
AP English Language Argument Essay Evidence: How to Choose Examples That Score
The argument essay gives you an idea and asks you to take a position, using evidence of your own choosing. There are no sources to lean on, so what you choose to use matters. Row B asks for specific evidence in a line of reasoning, and this guide shows how to pick examples you can use well.
Where evidence can come from
| Source of evidence | Strengths | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| History | Specific events, dates and people give weight. | Getting dates or details wrong. Use only what you know well. |
| Current events | Shows the idea matters now. | Examples that change quickly or that you only half know. |
| Literature and film | Rich for ideas about people and choices. | Plot summary instead of using the work for your claim. |
| Science and technology | Concrete and often easy to explain. | Technical detail that distracts from the argument. |
| Personal experience | Original and vivid, if specific. | A story with no link back to the claim. |
A made-up prompt
Prompt: Is it ever right to break with tradition? Plan your evidence before you write. Choose two or three examples that each support a different part of your argument.
It names no case and gives the reader nothing to weigh.
It names the event, gives specific facts, and explains how the example supports the claim.
A planning method
- List three examples you could use, from at least two different areas.
- For each, write one sentence about what it proves.
- Choose the two or three that best fit your thesis, and put them in an order that builds the argument.
- Include one example that shows a limit or a counterpoint, which supports sophistication.
Keep a bank of examples
Before the exam, collect six or seven examples you know well from history, literature and current events, and practice linking each to several common ideas, such as change, loyalty, success and fairness. A flexible example saves time on exam day.
Common mistakes
- Using only personal anecdotes with no link to a larger idea.
- Giving a long plot summary of a book or film.
- Using vague references to "history" or "studies".
- Stating an example without explaining how it supports the claim.
- Including a fact you are unsure of.
Frequently asked questions
How many examples do I need in the argument essay?
Two or three well-developed examples are usually enough. Depth earns more than a long list.
Can I use personal experience?
Yes, if it is specific and you link it to your claim. Combine it with at least one example from outside your own life.
What if I am not sure of a date?
Use a detail you are sure of, or describe the event without the date. Accuracy matters.
Is it all right to disagree with the idea in the prompt?
Yes. The prompt asks for your position, and a well-supported disagreement earns the same points as agreement.
Where can I find the official scoring rules?
Exam formats change a little from year to year, so check the current course and exam description on the College Board site before test day.
Keep practicing
The AP English Language course has five practice prompts for each of the three essay types, with a writing space that scores your response against the official 6-point analytic rubric. These free lessons also build the skills the free-response section tests:
- Free lesson 1.5: evidence and the three tests
- Free lesson 1.6: writing a claim and evidence paragraph
See the AP English Language and Composition course Free lessons and lesson list
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- AP English Language Synthesis Essay Explained: How to Use Sources to Earn 6 Points
- AP English Language Rhetorical Analysis Essay Explained: How the 6 Points Are Scored
- AP English Language Argument Essay Explained: How to Earn the 6 Points
- AP English Language Thesis Statements Explained: How to Earn the Thesis Point on Every Essay
- AP English Language Commentary and Line of Reasoning Explained: Earning the Four Evidence Points
- AP English Language Sophistication Point Explained: What It Rewards and How to Earn It
- AP English Language Rhetorical Devices and Their Effects: From Naming to Explaining
- AP English Language Synthesis Essay: How to Use a Chart, Table or Image as Evidence
Multiple choice
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