AP English Language and Composition Flashcards: Selecting and weaving textual evidence
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
To 'amplify a point' about the dangers of social media, which piece of evidence is stronger: a personal anecdote or a statistic about rising teen anxiety levels?
A statistic about rising teen anxiety levels would be stronger for amplifying the point, as it demonstrates a widespread, measurable impact rather than a single, subjective experience.
Card 1 of 10
All Flashcards (10)
To 'amplify a point' about the dangers of social media, which piece of evidence is stronger: a personal anecdote or a statistic about rising teen anxiety levels?
A statistic about rising teen anxiety levels would be stronger for amplifying the point, as it demonstrates a widespread, measurable impact rather than a single, subjective experience.
What is the difference between evidence and commentary?
Evidence is the information, quote, or data selected from a source, while commentary is the writer's own analysis explaining how that evidence supports their claim.
List at least four different types of evidence writers can use.
Writers can use facts, anecdotes, analogies, statistics, examples, details, illustrations, expert opinions, personal observations, testimony, or experiments as evidence.
What does it mean to 'strategically select' evidence?
It means to purposefully choose the most relevant, credible, and impactful pieces of evidence that will most effectively and persuasively support a specific claim.
What is the role of evidence in relation to a writer's claim?
Evidence, such as facts, examples, or expert opinions, is used by writers to support, validate, and prove the assertions made in their claims.
Why is it important for selected evidence to be specific?
Specific evidence provides clear, concrete proof for a claim, making the argument more convincing and easier for the reader to understand than vague or general statements.
Beyond proving a point, what are other strategic uses for evidence?
Writers can strategically use evidence to illustrate a concept, clarify a point, set a mood, exemplify an idea, associate concepts, or amplify an argument's importance.
How might a writer use an analogy as evidence to argue for school uniform policies?
The writer might compare students to a sports team, arguing that just as a uniform promotes team unity and focus on the game, school uniforms promote academic focus and community.
If your claim is that a character is deceptive, what kind of evidence would you select from the text?
You would select specific examples of the character's misleading dialogue, contradictory actions, or details about their dishonest thoughts to directly support the claim of deceptiveness.
What is the basic structure of a paragraph that effectively uses evidence?
An effective paragraph structure includes a central claim, followed by specific evidence from a text to support that claim, and commentary that explains the evidence's significance.