Extended Written Response and Argumentation
What you must understand
Extended responses are assessed on argument, not coverage. You need a clear contention, a sequence of reasons, sustained use of evidence, and explicit evaluation. Understand the difference between description (what happened) and analysis (why it matters to your contention). Know how to handle command terms: "to what extent" invites a qualified judgement; "evaluate" requires criteria; "how significant" requires comparison of scale.
Traps
- Narrative openings. Beginning with background instead of a contention wastes the strongest position in the essay.
- Unlinked paragraphs. Each paragraph should advance the argument, not merely add a topic.
- Evidence dumping. Statistics and dates without explanation do not constitute argument.
- Ignoring the counter-case. Strong answers engage the best opposing view before rebutting it.
- Vague conclusions. "It was significant to a large extent" without criteria is empty.
Worked example
For "To what extent did the revolution transform society?", open with a contention that names the criterion: transformation in legal status was extensive, but in material conditions limited. Each paragraph then tests one domain against that criterion, and the conclusion restates the qualified judgement.
Rule of thumb
Use claim–evidence–evaluation in every paragraph: state the point, support it, then say what it shows and what it does not. If a paragraph lacks the third element, it is description.