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Milton

For my AP Literature/Composition class I had to write an essay on my exam about a controversial topic. I decided to choose the legalization of marijuana. How do you think the test readers will react to this? The prompt said to write about a controversial topic, but I have a feeling that choosing this topic might effect my scoring negatively.

 

JTP

Probably be better off with abortion, gun-control, smoking bans, stem cell research, etc. It shouldn't effect your scoring - but it might.

Medicalman

It should definitely NOT affect your scoring. If it does, I'd lodge a complaint. Citizens working to change laws that they don't believe in is the cornerstone of our government (at least the way it is supposed to be).

I used MJ research as my primary goal on my college application and had no problems. As long as I don't bring the real thing onto campus they have no problem and we are even working on allowing my capstone project to be a grow in Canada (we are near the border). But I am 38, my state has a med mj law, and our governor passed a law through the legislature authorizing my school to begin permitting for hemp experimentation.

Best
MM

Milton

I know it definitely shouldn't effect my score, but you never know with all of the closed minded people how they will react to it. It is actually a pretty good essay, the best out of the three I had to write, so I would just be really mad if they graded it harshly because of the subject matter.

Medicalman

Unfortunately, Milton, you may be right. I'm sure that an instructor or professor wouldn't be stupid enough to actually tell you if you got a crappy mark just because of the subject matter. It's really sad, college should foster debate and exploration, yet so often professors and such seek blind allegiance from their students, a rather military way of thinking.

Best
MM

 

Virus356

it really depends on the teacher, i did a research paper on the War on Drugs (im in 12th grade) and my teacher loved it.

WNB

As long as you approach the topic intelligently, they won't care. From my experience, and I took several AP classes in high school, the kind of teachers who teach AP classes, and volunteer to be readers, are far more interested in whether you can cover a topic intelligently than what your stance on it is.

__________________
War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength

StewScum

Actually, thats not entirely true. I had to write a paper for the state given test on what best symbolizes america. I wrote it on how the almighty dollar drives this country and i got a 2/4. The thing about essays and the people who grade them, especially in high school, is that it is biased, and the topic has a lot to do with how they grade. Hopefully this doesnt happen with you, but it did happen with me.

WNB

A state test is different than an AP test...AP tests are graded by some of the best high school teachers in the country. I personally knew several teachers at my high school who were also AP test graders, and they were all intelligent and open minded-not exactly the type of people who would give you a lower grade because they didn't agree with you.

So maybe the people who grade the state test are different...or maybe your essay just sucked

VicFerrari

If I were in your shoes, I'd write it on the topic that I want (marijuana) and make it as controversial as possible. That's the criteria and I'd expect to be graded on content. Don't be afraid of prejudice people.

If you do get a bad grade and you are convinced it's because of a bias, don't get angry - you've still learned something.