If you aren’t sure how to begin your AP essay, you’re in luck! Try using the following template to help you outline your essay. (You do not have to use this for your actual AP essay, but you are welcome to).

Using & building upon what’s written in your prospectus, fill in the following outline. The more complete this is, the better I can provide helpful comments. Your rough draft should be about 1500 words (final draft requirement: ~2000 words).

• Introduction: a hook that is a question/statistic/quote, then provide GENERAL, HISTORICAL [i.e.–the root of the problem, not current issues…] information, then provide maybe ONE or TWO examples of problems NOW, then discuss WHY a solution to this problem is needed, then transition into the thesis [advocating for solutions].

1. Hook: [add information/ideas]
2. Background: [add information/ideas]

1. Thesis: [add FULL SENTENCE]

• Body: focus on the description of the solutions to your CP problem, but also give some detailed background information about your topic before arguing/advocating for solutions

1. Paragraphs 1-2: use these first body paragraphs to really discuss the problem from your CP as it was and as it is; treat these paragraphs like a summary of your CP so that readers can really understand your problem.
   1. Topic Sentences: [add FULL SENTENCE]
   2. Explanation: [add information/ideas]
   3. Claim [Argument]: [add FULL SENTENCE]
   4. Evidence: [add SOURCE NAMES]
   5. Connection: [add information/ideas]
   6. Conclusion/Transition: [add information/ideas]
2. Paragraphs 3-4: discuss the various aspects of your problem [[in detail] that align with the solutions you WANT to present about…meaning…you have to bring up the specific problems of your topic before you begin advocating for a specific solution…use these paragraphs to discuss in detail the various problems that your solutions would or would not effectively address
   1. Topic Sentences: [add FULL SENTENCE]
   2. Explanation: [add information/ideas]
   3. Claim [Argument]: [add FULL SENTENCE]
   4. Evidence: [add SOURCE NAMES]
   5. Connection: [add information/ideas]
   6. Conclusion/Transition: [add information/ideas]
3. Paragraphs #5-n: The rest of your AP should follow an organization where you discuss possible solutions IN THEIR OWN TIME [meaning, each solution gets its own paragraph(s) of discussion and multiple solutions ARE NOT discussed in the same space.
   1. Topic Sentences: [add FULL SENTENCE]
   2. Explanation: [add information/ideas]
   3. Claim [Argument]: [add FULL SENTENCE]
   4. Evidence: [add SOURCE NAMES]
   5. Connection: [add information/ideas]
   6. Conclusion/Transition: [add information/ideas]

• Conclusion

1. Restate Thesis [PARAPHRASE YOURSELF!!!!]
2. Summarize Body [KEEP IT SHORT!!! FOCUS ON EACH SECTION ONLY]
3. Broader Implications/Call to Actions/ Solutions: [add information/ideas]https://canvas.eee.uci.edu/courses/40684/pages/wee…