Sophistication: nuance, concession and situating the argument

Learning objectives

Earn the sophistication point by developing a nuanced argument that recognizes tensions or complications within the evidence, not by adding difficult vocabulary

Explore the broader context of the argument, connecting it to wider implications, related situations or an alternative perspective that the prompt does not supply

Handle counterargument by taking the strongest version of the opposing view seriously and explaining why your position still stands

Sustain an effective rhetorical style across the whole response rather than in isolated sentences

Recognize that sophistication is judged on the response as a whole, so a single clever remark added to a thin argument will not qualify

Avoid the moves that undermine sophistication: sweeping generalization, unsupported assertion about all of history, and hedging that leaves no position at all