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Exam: Performance Task 2: Individual Research-Based Essay and Presentation

5 min readโ€ขnovember 23, 2021

Steven Kucklick

Steven Kucklick

Steven Kucklick

Steven Kucklick

Performance Task 2 Overview

PT 2 may seem more intimidating than PT1, especially since you have to do it all yourself. But, don't let the 2000 word paper ๐Ÿ‘€ or the eight minute presentation scare you off!

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-E6aogRLKX5bp.gif?alt=media&token=f92e5840-0bd8-4d10-8ff5-b919e4ccb2dc

Image Courtesy of Giphy

In a lot of ways, PT 2 should be more familiar to you. Here, you are writing โœ๏ธ a traditional and then presenting on it. It's pretty much that simple.

Where things can get kind of intimidating is the implementation of the .

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-Z6pelNqLG929.gif?alt=media&token=4f029e67-99f0-4213-bdbb-7f97bdca25fc

Image Courtesy of Giphy

These are a collection of articles, poems, videos, songs, or really anything in between, that are meant to guide ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ’ผ students towards a particular topic.

Using this topics students will brainstorm their own and and construct an argumentative paper.

The presentation is simply a place where you can explain your argument and the evidence you chose while demonstrating your knowledge of your โœ๏ธ.

Let's work through each section of PT 2 and look at how best to approach it.

Stimulus Packet

Each year the College Board release a set of to act as guide ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ’ผ for students as they choose their topic. Each source that the College Board provides in this packet is based around a large that students should use as a guide while they choose their topic.

Before we get any further, let's look at the ๐Ÿ‘‰ย Stimulus Packet from 2019.

Here we can see that we have 7 different sources. This will be true (as of now) in all stimulus packets.

We can also the variety in sources that College Board provides. We have everything from academic journals to a Bob Dylan song ๐ŸŽต.

Typically, in Stimulus Packets there will be a peer reviewed article, a , an , a piece of media, and some collections of poetry, music, or fiction.

The great thing about the is that you are allowed to go through it with your class and your teacher. As you analyze each source think about the across all sources. In the I linked, the is 'change.'

Remember, this theme will be broad, but you should start thinking about topics that fit ๐Ÿ‘‰ ๐Ÿ‘ˆ within it.

is not just there to serve as the topic for PT 2, you will also need to incorporate at least one of the sources in your actual written paper.

Because of this, you should also look for a topic that will fit well with some of the sources. Because the sources are so diverse, you shouldn't have too hard of time finding a topic that interests you while still incorporating a source.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-VRFEt0Eiz51p.gif?alt=media&token=52761cb1-c6f1-4d36-938c-9eb7f7cf526c

Image Courtesy of Giphy

Now that we have our big theme, we can move on to topic selection!

Picking your Topic

Now to the most important part of PT2.... picking your topic ๐Ÿ˜! Again, you should be brainstorming around the larger topic from the and one of the sources within it.

I would recommend doing this with a classmate ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿซ. Having someone you can bounce ideas off of can be really helpful. I would strongly encourage not doing the same topic as classmate so that you don't run into plagiarism issues.

As you're brainstorming topics it's important to remember not to go too big or too small. You should be broad enough that you have enough evidence to use, but specific enough that you don't have too much to talk ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ about.

Don't be afraid to pursue multiple topics and do some preliminary research. Sticking to one topic early can often lead to stress if you can find enough evidence or the right evidence for you.

You should also feel comfortable changing your topic slightly as you do research. As much as your topic should influence your research, your research should also influence your topic.

Individual Written Argument

Now that we've settled on a topic and we've found good evidence, we can start writing โœ๏ธ!!

The Individual Written Argument (IWA) is essentially a standard where you are arguing for a using claims and evidence.

Your entire IWA sort of rests on your ๐Ÿ‘€ so it's important get that written first and foremost. The traditional three pronged is of course acceptable, but not required. What should be true is that your needs to outline your entire argument. I should know exactly what you are going to argue just by reading your .

Once you begin writing you are essentially just writing a standard , even if it is the longest paper you've written.

Here are some things to keep in mind ๐Ÿค” while you write:

  • The evidence is there to support your claims, just like the claims are there to support your argument. All of these elements need to work together. Don't just make your paper a book report on your evidence. ๐Ÿ“•
  • is also crucial for a successful paper. Organize your claims and your evidence in a way that makes sense to the reader. Check out the Big Idea 2 guide to review . ๐Ÿคจ
  • Don't ramble! 2000 words seems like a lot, but you have a lot to talk about! Be thoughtful with your words. โœ๏ธ
  • I would aim for about 15 to 20 pieces of unique evidence when you go into writing. If you use less, you use less! It's better to be over prepared than under. ๐Ÿ’ป

Individual Multimedia Presentation

Finally we've made it... the Individual Multimedia Presentation ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ! Your IMP will be very similar to the Team Multimedia Presentation. However, instead of arguing for your solution to the problem, you will be arguing your .

A good way to think about this is that you will be translating your paper into an eight minute presentation. You need to explain the importance of your argument while connecting your claims with your evidence ๐Ÿค.

You should also take some time to explain the different perspectives of your evidence.

You will also be asked to answer two questions. This is yourย ย section. These question will ask you to reflect on the research process and how you could extend on your topic.

As always, these questions are available to you. You can find them on page 63 of theย Course and Exam Description.

In Conclusion...

Wrapping things up I want to remind you not to get too stressed out. PT 2 can easily feel very overwhelming, but if you chunk things up and plan, you will be great!

As always theย rubricsย are your friend! Make sure to read them to understand exactly how to get all the points you need.

Key Terms to Review (14)

Argumentative Research Paper

: An argumentative research paper is an academic essay that presents evidence-based arguments on a specific topic. It requires critical thinking skills and persuasive writing techniques to support claims with credible sources while addressing counterarguments.

Central Theme

: The central theme is the main idea or underlying message of a piece of literature, art, or any other form of expression. It represents the core concept that ties together various elements and provides deeper meaning to the work.

Historical Source

: A historical source is any piece of evidence or information from the past that provides insight into a particular event, person, or time period. It can include documents, artifacts, photographs, diaries, and more.

Line of Reasoning

: A line of reasoning is a logical progression of ideas or arguments that supports a claim or thesis. It involves connecting evidence and reasoning to form a coherent and persuasive argument.

Media Source

: A media source refers to any platform or outlet that disseminates information, news, or entertainment to the public. It includes newspapers, television, radio, websites, social media platforms, and more.

Opinionated Argumentative Source

: An opinionated argumentative source is one that presents biased viewpoints or arguments based on personal beliefs rather than objective facts. These sources often aim to persuade readers to adopt a particular opinion.

Oral Defense

: An oral defense is a formal presentation where students explain and defend their research findings or arguments in front of an audience. It allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Peer-Reviewed Article

: A peer-reviewed article is a scholarly publication that has undergone a rigorous evaluation process by experts in the field before being accepted for publication. This process ensures the quality and credibility of the research presented in the article.

Performance Task 2

: Performance Task 2 is an assessment in AP Seminar where students are required to analyze a real-world issue and develop an argumentative essay. It evaluates their ability to research, synthesize information, and construct a well-supported argument.

Research Question

: A research question is an inquiry that guides an investigation or study. It identifies what information needs to be gathered and analyzed in order to address a specific problem or explore a particular topic.

Rubrics

: Rubrics are scoring guides used by teachers to evaluate student work based on predetermined criteria. They provide clear expectations for what constitutes high-quality performance on assignments or assessments.

Stimulus Materials

: Stimulus materials refer to the resources provided to students in order to prompt their thinking and guide their research or analysis. These materials can include texts, images, videos, data sets, or any other type of content that serves as a starting point for academic inquiry.

Stimulus Packet

: A stimulus packet refers to a collection of stimulus materials that are grouped together for students' reference. These packets are often provided by teachers or exam boards and contain multiple resources related to a specific topic or theme.

Thesis

: A thesis is a clear and concise statement that presents the main argument or point of an essay or research paper.

Exam: Performance Task 2: Individual Research-Based Essay and Presentation

5 min readโ€ขnovember 23, 2021

Steven Kucklick

Steven Kucklick

Steven Kucklick

Steven Kucklick

Performance Task 2 Overview

PT 2 may seem more intimidating than PT1, especially since you have to do it all yourself. But, don't let the 2000 word paper ๐Ÿ‘€ or the eight minute presentation scare you off!

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-E6aogRLKX5bp.gif?alt=media&token=f92e5840-0bd8-4d10-8ff5-b919e4ccb2dc

Image Courtesy of Giphy

In a lot of ways, PT 2 should be more familiar to you. Here, you are writing โœ๏ธ a traditional and then presenting on it. It's pretty much that simple.

Where things can get kind of intimidating is the implementation of the .

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-Z6pelNqLG929.gif?alt=media&token=4f029e67-99f0-4213-bdbb-7f97bdca25fc

Image Courtesy of Giphy

These are a collection of articles, poems, videos, songs, or really anything in between, that are meant to guide ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ’ผ students towards a particular topic.

Using this topics students will brainstorm their own and and construct an argumentative paper.

The presentation is simply a place where you can explain your argument and the evidence you chose while demonstrating your knowledge of your โœ๏ธ.

Let's work through each section of PT 2 and look at how best to approach it.

Stimulus Packet

Each year the College Board release a set of to act as guide ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ’ผ for students as they choose their topic. Each source that the College Board provides in this packet is based around a large that students should use as a guide while they choose their topic.

Before we get any further, let's look at the ๐Ÿ‘‰ย Stimulus Packet from 2019.

Here we can see that we have 7 different sources. This will be true (as of now) in all stimulus packets.

We can also the variety in sources that College Board provides. We have everything from academic journals to a Bob Dylan song ๐ŸŽต.

Typically, in Stimulus Packets there will be a peer reviewed article, a , an , a piece of media, and some collections of poetry, music, or fiction.

The great thing about the is that you are allowed to go through it with your class and your teacher. As you analyze each source think about the across all sources. In the I linked, the is 'change.'

Remember, this theme will be broad, but you should start thinking about topics that fit ๐Ÿ‘‰ ๐Ÿ‘ˆ within it.

is not just there to serve as the topic for PT 2, you will also need to incorporate at least one of the sources in your actual written paper.

Because of this, you should also look for a topic that will fit well with some of the sources. Because the sources are so diverse, you shouldn't have too hard of time finding a topic that interests you while still incorporating a source.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-VRFEt0Eiz51p.gif?alt=media&token=52761cb1-c6f1-4d36-938c-9eb7f7cf526c

Image Courtesy of Giphy

Now that we have our big theme, we can move on to topic selection!

Picking your Topic

Now to the most important part of PT2.... picking your topic ๐Ÿ˜! Again, you should be brainstorming around the larger topic from the and one of the sources within it.

I would recommend doing this with a classmate ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿซ. Having someone you can bounce ideas off of can be really helpful. I would strongly encourage not doing the same topic as classmate so that you don't run into plagiarism issues.

As you're brainstorming topics it's important to remember not to go too big or too small. You should be broad enough that you have enough evidence to use, but specific enough that you don't have too much to talk ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ about.

Don't be afraid to pursue multiple topics and do some preliminary research. Sticking to one topic early can often lead to stress if you can find enough evidence or the right evidence for you.

You should also feel comfortable changing your topic slightly as you do research. As much as your topic should influence your research, your research should also influence your topic.

Individual Written Argument

Now that we've settled on a topic and we've found good evidence, we can start writing โœ๏ธ!!

The Individual Written Argument (IWA) is essentially a standard where you are arguing for a using claims and evidence.

Your entire IWA sort of rests on your ๐Ÿ‘€ so it's important get that written first and foremost. The traditional three pronged is of course acceptable, but not required. What should be true is that your needs to outline your entire argument. I should know exactly what you are going to argue just by reading your .

Once you begin writing you are essentially just writing a standard , even if it is the longest paper you've written.

Here are some things to keep in mind ๐Ÿค” while you write:

  • The evidence is there to support your claims, just like the claims are there to support your argument. All of these elements need to work together. Don't just make your paper a book report on your evidence. ๐Ÿ“•
  • is also crucial for a successful paper. Organize your claims and your evidence in a way that makes sense to the reader. Check out the Big Idea 2 guide to review . ๐Ÿคจ
  • Don't ramble! 2000 words seems like a lot, but you have a lot to talk about! Be thoughtful with your words. โœ๏ธ
  • I would aim for about 15 to 20 pieces of unique evidence when you go into writing. If you use less, you use less! It's better to be over prepared than under. ๐Ÿ’ป

Individual Multimedia Presentation

Finally we've made it... the Individual Multimedia Presentation ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ! Your IMP will be very similar to the Team Multimedia Presentation. However, instead of arguing for your solution to the problem, you will be arguing your .

A good way to think about this is that you will be translating your paper into an eight minute presentation. You need to explain the importance of your argument while connecting your claims with your evidence ๐Ÿค.

You should also take some time to explain the different perspectives of your evidence.

You will also be asked to answer two questions. This is yourย ย section. These question will ask you to reflect on the research process and how you could extend on your topic.

As always, these questions are available to you. You can find them on page 63 of theย Course and Exam Description.

In Conclusion...

Wrapping things up I want to remind you not to get too stressed out. PT 2 can easily feel very overwhelming, but if you chunk things up and plan, you will be great!

As always theย rubricsย are your friend! Make sure to read them to understand exactly how to get all the points you need.

Key Terms to Review (14)

Argumentative Research Paper

: An argumentative research paper is an academic essay that presents evidence-based arguments on a specific topic. It requires critical thinking skills and persuasive writing techniques to support claims with credible sources while addressing counterarguments.

Central Theme

: The central theme is the main idea or underlying message of a piece of literature, art, or any other form of expression. It represents the core concept that ties together various elements and provides deeper meaning to the work.

Historical Source

: A historical source is any piece of evidence or information from the past that provides insight into a particular event, person, or time period. It can include documents, artifacts, photographs, diaries, and more.

Line of Reasoning

: A line of reasoning is a logical progression of ideas or arguments that supports a claim or thesis. It involves connecting evidence and reasoning to form a coherent and persuasive argument.

Media Source

: A media source refers to any platform or outlet that disseminates information, news, or entertainment to the public. It includes newspapers, television, radio, websites, social media platforms, and more.

Opinionated Argumentative Source

: An opinionated argumentative source is one that presents biased viewpoints or arguments based on personal beliefs rather than objective facts. These sources often aim to persuade readers to adopt a particular opinion.

Oral Defense

: An oral defense is a formal presentation where students explain and defend their research findings or arguments in front of an audience. It allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Peer-Reviewed Article

: A peer-reviewed article is a scholarly publication that has undergone a rigorous evaluation process by experts in the field before being accepted for publication. This process ensures the quality and credibility of the research presented in the article.

Performance Task 2

: Performance Task 2 is an assessment in AP Seminar where students are required to analyze a real-world issue and develop an argumentative essay. It evaluates their ability to research, synthesize information, and construct a well-supported argument.

Research Question

: A research question is an inquiry that guides an investigation or study. It identifies what information needs to be gathered and analyzed in order to address a specific problem or explore a particular topic.

Rubrics

: Rubrics are scoring guides used by teachers to evaluate student work based on predetermined criteria. They provide clear expectations for what constitutes high-quality performance on assignments or assessments.

Stimulus Materials

: Stimulus materials refer to the resources provided to students in order to prompt their thinking and guide their research or analysis. These materials can include texts, images, videos, data sets, or any other type of content that serves as a starting point for academic inquiry.

Stimulus Packet

: A stimulus packet refers to a collection of stimulus materials that are grouped together for students' reference. These packets are often provided by teachers or exam boards and contain multiple resources related to a specific topic or theme.

Thesis

: A thesis is a clear and concise statement that presents the main argument or point of an essay or research paper.


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APยฎ and SATยฎ are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.


ยฉ 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

APยฎ and SATยฎ are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.