1. You will have been assigned one or more specific essay questions.

2. Your response must be typewritten, using the following conventions:

a. Do not attach a separate cover page.

b. On the first page of your response, at the top right hand corner, flush right, type on separate lines, your complete name, title of course, name of class (or class period), and date. An example is show below:

---

	Juan Manual Doe AP Government [Fall or Spring] Class [Date]
	Triple space
Question: Compare and contrast the "establishment clause" and the "free exercise clause"? Detail what controversies have arisen in the United States over the issue of freedom of religion and how have they been resolved? Response:   . . . . . .

---

c. Margins should be 1" at top, bottom, right and left. Pagination (page numbers) should be centered, in parentheses, e.g. (2). No pagination on your first page.

d. Typewritten response should be double-spaced. Note however, the you should restate the assigned essay question, typing the restated essay question in single spacing.

e. Font should be no greater than 13 pt.

f. If employing footnotes, designated font for footnotes should be no greater than 11 pt.

g. Your essay response MUST contain citations (referencing sources from which you derived information for your response) within the body of your response. Your citations must be in correct MLA format and must be listed appropriately on a separate bibliography page.

h. Staple multiple pages at the top left corner.

3. Read each question carefully and respond according to WHAT is asked. Note that the some of the following terms are used in the formulation of your specific question, and thus, your essay question calls for a SPECIFIC type of answer!

Analyze

examine critically to show essential features

Criticize

point out strong and weak points (evaluate)

Compare

show differences and similarities between two or more things

Define

give a clear, detailed, and precise meaning (who or what--never when or where)

Describe

list physical characteristics. But often means discuss, explain, identify or give account of

Discuss (Comment)

present essentials and their relationships

Elaborate

develop theme or idea in greater detail

Evaluate

appraise carefully, giving positive and negative aspects (critique)

Explain

clarify and interpret details of the problem, theory, etc. Present a step-by-step account of or analysis (how and why)

Illustrate

explain or clarify by giving clear, pertinent examples (give example of)

List

set down under each other a series of facts, names, dates, etc. Write a series of numbered items.

Outline

organize facts by arranging them in a series of headings and subheadings to show relationships

Prove

list all logical arguments supporting the statements

Summarize

present concisely all main points

Chief Justice RichardBarajas
Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics
Cathedral High School, El Paso, Texas
Last updated: January 22, 2001