AP English Language Free Response Argument for Thomas Jefferson

👋 Welcome to the AP English Lang FRQ: Argument 2 (Thomas Jefferson). These are longer questions, so grab some paper and a pencil, or open up a blank page on your computer.

⚠️ (Unfortunately, we don't have an Answers Guide or Rubric for this question, but it can give you an idea of how an Argument FRQ might show up on the exam.)

⏱ The AP English Language exam has 3 free-response questions, and you will be given 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete the FRQ section, which includes a 15-minute reading period. (This means you should give yourself ~40 minutes to go through each practice FRQ.)

• • 😩 Getting stumped halfway through answering? Look through all of the available resources on Arguments.

Setup

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was the third President of the United States and the primary author of The Declaration of Independence. In 1816, Jefferson wrote a letter to one of his political collaborators and rivals, John Adams, who had previously served as the second President of the United States. In his letter, Jefferson argued that “bigotry is the disease of ignorance.” He then claimed that “education and free discussion are the antidotes of [it].” 

Guidelines

Write an essay that argues your position on the extent to which “education and free discussion” are the “antidotes” of bigotry. 

In your response you should do the following:

• Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible position.
• Provide evidence to support your line of reasoning.
• Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.
• Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.