Below are 17 samples, each of which includes:
- A sample essential question which introduces the argument essay prompt on some area of government.
- A draft prompt including three founding documents that could help shape the students’ arguments.
If you are looking for ways to get your students talking online, here is a really cool conversation strategy I’ve used as a set up for these FRQs.
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AP Government Argument Essay Samples
NEW! Media Censorship: Should the government play an active role in the censorship of social media? Prompt
Congressional roles: Does the delegate or trustee model of Congressional representation best serve the needs of the people as the Framers intended? Prompt
Federalism in the Age of Coronavirus: Should the federal government or the states be most responsible for responding to the Coronavirus outbreak? Prompt
Political Parties: Do political parties hinder or promote democracy? Prompt
Congressional oversight: Is congressional oversight healthy or unhealthy for our system of government? Prompt
Interest groups: Do interest groups hinder or promote democracy? Prompt
Civil Rights: Should the federal government have power over states in the shaping of civil rights policies? Prompt
Citizen participation: Does citizen participation really matter? Prompt
Photo IDs and federalism: Do states have the authority to pass photo identification laws which restrict people’s ability to vote? Prompt
Presidential power: Do executive orders give the president too much power? Prompt
Gridlock: Is gridlock healthy or unhealthy for our system of government? Prompt
Term limits: Do congressional term limits violate or honor popular sovereignty? Prompt
Primaries and caucuses: Is the presidential nominating process democratic? Prompt
Social Media: Is social media a healthy way for citizens to participate in our political system? Prompt
Electoral College: Should the electoral college be abolished? Prompt
Representative versus direct democracy: Which is a better vehicle to serve citizen needs– a representative or direct democracy? Prompt
Independent judiciary: Is an independent judiciary a threat to or a savior for democracy? Prompt