AP Seminar Performance Task 2 - Individual Research-Based Essay and Presentation - Student Version

Sep 23, 2026

AP Seminar Performance Task 2 requires students to complete an individual research-based essay and presentation supported by provided stimulus materials and additional scholarly sources. Students must identify a research question through thematic connections across at least two stimuli, gather information from diverse perspectives, develop and revise a defensible argument, and address opposing viewpoints. The written argument is 2000 words, supported by proper citation, and accompanied by a multimedia presentation defended through an oral defense responding to two questions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages54

Reading Time2 h 16 min

AccessFree to download

Directions

Task Overview

Individual Written Argument (2000 words)

Individual Multimedia Presentation (6–8 minutes)

Oral Defense

Citation and Plagiarism Requirements

AP Seminar PerformanceTask 2: Individual Research-Based Essay and Presentation Directions and Stimulus Materials January 2017 (revised January 9, 2017) © 2017 The College Board. College Board, Advanced Placement Program, AP, AP Central, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks ofthe College Board. AP Capstone and AP Capstone Diploma are trademarks owned by the College Board. All other products and services may be trademarks oftheir respective owners. Visit [the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org](the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org). Contents iv Introduction 1 Directions 5 Stimulus Materials 5 Derek Thompson,“A World Without Work,” from The Atlantic 17 Albert Camus,“The Myth of Sisyphus,” from The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays 19 “Long working hours and cancer risk: a multi-cohort study,” from the British Journal of Cancer 25 “We Can Do It”(Rosie the Riveter) image by J. Howard Miller 26 Richard Nixon,“Address to the Nation on Labor Day,” September 6, 1971 30 Adam Smith,“Book 1, Chapter X, Part 1,” from The Wealth of Nations 50 Credits AP® Capstone Program Stimulus Materials Introduction This performance task, highlighted in bold below, is one of three parts of the overall assessment for AP Seminar and one of two performance tasks. The assessment for this course is comprised of: Performance Task 1: Team Project and Presentation ❯ Component 1: Individual Research Report ❯ Component 2: Team Multimedia Presentation and Oral Defense Performance Task 2: Individual Research-Based Essay and Presentation ❯ Component 1: Individual Written Argument ❯ Component 2: Individual Multimedia Presentation ❯ Component 3: Oral Defense End-of-Course Exam ❯ Part A: Three Short-Answer Questions (based on one source) ❯ Part B: One Essay Question (based on four sources) The attached pages include the directions for Performance Task 2; information about the weighting of the task within the overall assessment and detailed information as to the expected quantity and quality of work that you should submit. Also included are the stimulus materials for the task. These materials are themebased and broadly span the academic curriculum. After analyzing the materials, develop a research question that suits your individual interest based on a thematic connection between at least two of the stimulus materials. Your research question must be rich enough to allow you to engage in meaningful exploration and write and present a substantive, defensible argument. © 2017 The College Board iv AP® Capstone Program Stimulus Materials AP Seminar Performance Task 2: Individual Research-Based Essay and Presentation Student Version Weight: 35% of the AP Seminar score Task Overview This packet includes a set of stimulus materials for the AP Seminar Performance Task 2: Individual Research-Based Essay and Presentation. You must identify a research question prompted by analysis of the provided stimulus materials, gather information from a range of additional sources, develop and refine an argument, write and revise your argument, and create a presentation that you will be expected to defend. Your teacher will give you a deadline for when you need to submit your written argument and presentation media. Your teacher will also give you a date on which you will give your presentation. | Task Components | Length | | Date Due (fill in) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Individual Written Argument | 2000 words | | | | Individual Multimedia Presentation | 6–8 minutes | | | | Oral Defense | Respond to 2 | questions | | In all written work, you must: ▶ Acknowledge, attribute, and/or cite sources using in-text citations, endnotes or footnotes, and/or through bibliographic entry. You must avoid plagiarizing (seethe attached AP Capstone Policy on Plagiarism and Falsification or Fabrication of Information) . ▶ Adhere to established conventions of grammar, usage, style, and mechan

FAQs

What are the core requirements for AP Seminar Performance Task 2?

Students must identify a research question from the stimulus materials, gather information from additional sources, develop and refine an argument, write a 2000-word paper, create a presentation, and defend it in an oral defense.

How should students build their research question and argument?

The research question must be prompted by analyzing thematic connections among at least two stimulus materials. Students then continually revisit and refine the question while interpreting evidence to answer it and incorporate opposing or alternate views.

What must be included in the individual written argument and how are sources handled?

The written argument must place the research question in context, use a variety of perspectives and evidence, incorporate at least one stimulus material, provide specific conclusions or solutions, and cite all sources with appropriate formatting. Plagiarism must be avoided.

Sep 23, 2026

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