Q3: The SCOTUS Comparison Free Response Question

General suggestions to improve your score:

 Write in a clear and focused matter  Use proper nouns and action verbs to show clear action in
 Answer the questions with clarity – turn the question into a principles, process, institutions, or characteristics
statement at the beginning of each answer.  Do not include thesis statements
 Labeling helps the scorer move through your answer faster  Elaboration or off topic answers slow reader down

Prompted point Intended Action Student Self Check

A. Identify or describe
the common
constitutional concept
(1)
B1. Describe a fact of the
required case (1)
Points are linked
Prompt will either ask you to either:
 Identify: Name a clause, OR
 Describe: Address what the concept is by identifying
constitutional clause and providing a short
connection to its related concept (ex: 14th
Amendment due process + selective incorporation)
Prompt will ask you to:
 Describe: Address what the facts that brought the
Have I repeated the prompt as a statement to
ensure I am answering the question?
Have I used precise nouns and action verbs related
to the question?
Did I identify the clause and corresponding
concept?
Have I repeated the prompt as a statement to
ensure I am answering the question?

case to the court, including the precise actors and
actions that conflicts with the constitutional clause
B2. Explain via comparison Prompt will ask you to compare or contrast via:
of the required case’s  Similarities: a line of constitutional reasoning
holding and the referenced in A that was common in both cases
prompted case (1)  Differences: a line of constitutional reasoning
referenced in A that was different in both cases
Prompt will ask you to:
 Explain how or why the court’s reasoning or holding
in cases was similar/different using evidence and
commentary or reasoning.
o How: looks at a process, relationship, or pattern
o Why: requires analysis for reasons or
motivations for process, relationship, or pattern
C. Explain how or why a Prompt will ask you to:
related concept relates  Explain how or why a principle, process, institution,
to the cases (1) or characteristic occurs using evidence and
commentary or reasoning.
o How: looks at a process, relationship, or pattern
o Why: requires analysis for reasons or
motivations for process, relationship, or pattern
Have I used precise nouns and action verbs related
to the question?
Did I provide a fact (government actors+ other
actors + action) that were directly caused the case
and challenged the constitution?
Did I present the facts of the required case in the
first sentence of B?
Have I repeated the prompt as a statement to
ensure I am answering the question?
Have I used precise nouns and action verbs related
to the question? (ex: Supreme Court, North
Carolina legislature)
Did I reference the constitutional concept in my
discussion of both holding’s reasoning?
Did I clearly explain why the court decided the
case as it did?
Did I connect the lines of reasoning by clearly
stating they are similar or different?
Have I repeated the prompt as a statement to
ensure I am answering the question?
Have I used precise nouns and action verbs related
to the question?
Did I provide a clear example (using “for example”
clarifies)?
Did I explain how or why my example connects to
my answer through strong commentary?

Jenifer Hitchcock, 2019. Adapted from College Board and work by Dr. Terri Fine and Jenifer Hitchcock
Copies found at lovgov.weebly.com