COUNTER ARGUMENT AND

CONSENSUS
AP SYNTHESIS PROMPT
 USING SPECIFIC DETAILS FROM BOTH IMAGES, RESPOND TO ONE OF
THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS. BE SURE TO CITE BOTH IMAGES IN YOUR
PARAGRAPH:
DO YOU THINK AMERICA HAS A HEALTHY POLITICAL CLIMATE?
DO YOU THINK AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM WITH RACE?

IMAGE A IMAGE B
CONSENSUS: SOURCES WORKING TOGETHER
A + B, THEREFORE Y
America irrefutably has a volatile political climate thanks to the two party
system. As captured in political cartoons, both the Republican and Democratic
parties criticize the opposition. For instance, the image of the elephant (a
common symbol for the Republican party) characterizes Republican
Congresspersons as malicious and hateful, painting a target on a Muslim
American. This generalization is one of many used to discredit the Republican
party. However, it goes both ways. The donkey in the second image is a clear
reference to the Democratic party, and as shown in the dialogue, this group is
being criticized for taking words out of context or hypersensitivity. Just as the
Republican’s are depicted as bigots, the Democrats are shown as overly sensitive
or manipulative. These two images, one from either side of the political median,
illustrate how unhealthy the American political climate really is.
CONSENSUS: SOURCES WORKING TOGETHER
A + B, THEREFORE Y
America irrefutably has a volatile political climate thanks to the two party
system. As captured in political cartoons, both the Republican and Democratic
parties criticize the opposition. For instance, the image of the elephant (a
common symbol for the Republican party) characterizes Republican
Congresspersons as malicious and hateful, painting a target on a Muslim
American. This generalization is one of many used to discredit the Republican
party. However, it goes both ways. The donkey in the second image is a clear
reference to the Democratic party, and as shown in the dialogue, this group is
being criticized for taking words out of context or hypersensitivity. Just as the
Republican’s are depicted as bigots, the Democrats are shown as overly sensitive
or manipulative. These two images, one from either side of the political median,
illustrate how unhealthy the American political climate really is.
COUNTER ARGUMENT: SOURCES WORKING AGAINST
ONE ANOTHER

A; HOWEVER B (Counter Argument)

A = “They Say” (Alternate Perspective)

B = “I Say” (Assertion)
A; HOWEVER B (Counter Argument)
Race, regardless of what a once vocal majority says, is still a problem in America.
Too often, complaints of racism and injustice are brushed off. Unfortunately,
words taken out of context have devalued the real tragedy that is racism. The
cartoon in which the donkey takes words out of context is a clear example of
this manipulation of the term. Regardless, all instances of racism and even
accused racism must be taken seriously or else it becomes the cultural norm to
look at “others” with suspicion. The target painted on the Muslim American
perfectly narrates this dangerous discourse of fear and suspicion. In this country,
thanks to a collection of vocal Republicans, a metaphoric target has been placed
on minorities. Until this climate of negativity and intolerance is corrected,
America will continue to have a problem with race.
A; HOWEVER B (Counter Argument)
Race, regardless of what a once vocal majority says, is still a problem in America.
Too often, complaints of racism and injustice are brushed off. Unfortunately,
words taken out of context have devalued the real tragedy that is racism. The
cartoon in which the donkey takes words out of context is a clear example of
this manipulation of the term. Regardless, all instances of racism and even
accused racism must be taken seriously or else it becomes the cultural norm to
look at “others” with suspicion. The target painted on the Muslim American
perfectly narrates this dangerous discourse of fear and suspicion. In this country,
thanks to a collection of vocal Republicans, a metaphoric target has been placed
on minorities. Until this climate of negativity and intolerance is corrected,
America will continue to have a problem with race.

“The Switch” = Transition Word

COUNTER ARGUMENT OUTLINE

• Topic Sentence: State your argument for that paragraph.

• [Supporting Idea] “They Say”: Lead into what other people say.
• [Supporting Idea] “I Say”: Explain why the opposition is wrong.
• Evidence: Support your explanation with specific evidence.
• Analysis: Point out why this evidence disproves the opposition.
• Conclusion: Connect back to your thesis.