{"id":143482,"date":"2023-07-22T17:35:05","date_gmt":"2023-07-22T21:35:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/ap-spanish-essay\/"},"modified":"2025-06-02T07:50:37","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T11:50:37","slug":"ap-spanish-essay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/spanish\/ap-spanish-essay\/","title":{"rendered":"52 Spanish Essay Phrases for Your AP Exam"},"content":{"rendered":"

In order to do well on the AP Spanish exam’s<\/a>\u00a0free-response<\/b>\u00a0section, you must be able to write a persuasive essay<\/a> based on three Spanish-language sources.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n

Here we’ve put together a list of 52 vocabulary words and essays phrases that will come in handy for making and supporting arguments in your AP Spanish essays.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Handy Essay Phrases for Writing a Strong Spanish AP Composition<\/h2>\n

Starting your essay<\/h3>\n

Para empezar <\/strong><\/em>\u2013 To begin with<\/p>\n

Hoy en d\u00eda <\/strong><\/em>\u2013 Nowadays\u2026<\/p>\n

Hoy en d\u00eda, las personas est\u00e1n en Internet hasta ocho horas por d\u00eda.<\/em> (Nowadays, people are on the Internet up to eight hours per day.)<\/p>\n

A manera de introducci\u00f3n <\/strong><\/em>\u2013 We can start by saying\u2026<\/p>\n

Como punto de partida<\/strong><\/em>\u2013 As a starting point<\/p>\n

Al principio <\/strong><\/em>\u2013 At the beginning\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n

En primer lugar<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u2013 To start\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n

Empecemos por considerar<\/em> <\/strong>\u2013 Let\u2019s begin by considering…<\/p>\n

Agreeing and disagreeing<\/h3>\n

Estoy de acuerdo\/No estoy de acuerdo <\/em><\/strong>\u2014\u00a0I agree\/I disagree<\/p>\n

Estoy de acuerdo con lo que dice el autor.<\/em> (I agree with what the author says.)<\/p>\n

No estoy de acuerdo con la idea principal de la fuente n\u00famero dos<\/em>. (I disagree with the main idea of source number two.)<\/p>\n

En mi opini\u00f3n <\/em><\/strong>\u2014 In my opinion<\/p>\n

En mi opini\u00f3n, los\u00a0j\u00f3venes\u00a0deber\u00edan comer m\u00e1s sano.<\/em> (In my opinion, young people should eat healthier.)<\/p>\n

La verdad es<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0The truth is<\/p>\n

La verdad es que todav\u00eda hay mucha desigualdad en los Estados Unidos<\/em>. (The truth is there is still\u00a0a lot of\u00a0inequality in the United States.)<\/p>\n

Es verdad\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u2014\u00a0It\u2019s true<\/p>\n

Es verdad que las redes sociales pueden ser peligrosas<\/em>. (It\u2019s true that social media can be dangerous.)<\/p>\n

Es falso<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>It\u2019s false<\/p>\n

Hay gente que dice que las redes sociales son peligrosas, pero esto es falso<\/em>. (There are people who say that social media is dangerous, but this is false.)<\/p>\n

Me parece\/No me parece<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>It seems to me\/It doesn\u2019t seem to me<\/p>\n

Me parece bien que los ni\u00f1os asistan a colegios biling\u00fces<\/em>. (I think it\u2019s a good idea that children attend bilingual schools.)<\/p>\n

No me parece bien que los ni\u00f1os asistan a colegios biling\u00fces<\/em>. (I don\u2019t think it\u2019s a good idea that children attend bilingual schools.)<\/p>\n

Remember that since me parece<\/em> implies an opinion or emotion, you must conjugate the verb in the subjunctive<\/a> tense.<\/p>\n

(Yo) pienso que<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>I think that<\/p>\n

Yo pienso que no hay nada m\u00e1s importante que la familia<\/em>. (I think that there is nothing more important than family.)<\/p>\n

(Yo) creo que\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u2014 I believe that<\/p>\n

Yo creo que todos los adolescentes deber\u00edan aprender a tocar un instrumento<\/em>. (I believe that all adolescents should learn to play an instrument.)<\/p>\n

Stating an opinion<\/h3>\n

The following phrases all have the same structure: Es<\/em>\u00a0+\u00a0adjective +\u00a0que<\/em>.<\/p>\n

This structure is similar to the English \u201cIt\u2019s [adjective] that…\u201d and is great for expressing and supporting opinions in a strong and confident manner. Here are some phrases that are especially useful when making and defending claims in a persuasive essay:<\/p>\n

Es evidente que<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>It\u2019s evident that<\/p>\n

Es claro que<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>It\u2019s clear that<\/p>\n

Es cierto que\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>It\u2019s certain that<\/p>\n

Es obvio que<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0It\u2019s obvious that<\/p>\n

Es importante que<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 It\u2019s important that<\/p>\n

Es necesario que<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0It\u2019s necessary that<\/p>\n

Es probable que<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>It\u2019s probable that<\/p>\n

Es dudoso que<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 It\u2019s doubtful that<\/p>\n

For some of these phrases, the verb following the word que<\/em> must be conjugated in the indicative, while others require the subjunctive<\/a>. A good rule of thumb is that when implying that something is certain, use the indicative. When expressing doubt or expressing some other emotion, use the subjunctive.<\/p>\n

On this list, evidente, claro, cierto\u00a0<\/em>and obvio <\/em>use indicative verbs, and importante, necesario, probable\u00a0<\/em>and dudoso <\/em>use subjunctive verbs.<\/p>\n

Es cierto que nuestro clima est\u00e1 cambiando<\/em>. (It is certain that our climate is changing.)<\/p>\n

Es importante que la gente sepa hablar m\u00e1s de un idioma<\/em>. (It\u2019s important that people know how to speak more than one language.)<\/p>\n

Supporting an opinion<\/h3>\n

These words will help you refer to your three sources, which contain information that will help you support your argument. This section also contains transition words<\/a> to connect one part of your argument to the next.<\/p>\n

Seg\u00fan<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0According to\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Seg\u00fan el autor…<\/em> (according to the author…)<\/p>\n

La fuente<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0<\/em>The source<\/p>\n

Seg\u00fan la fuente numero 1…<\/em> (According to source number one…)<\/p>\n

El tema<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>The theme\/topic<\/p>\n

Esto es un tema muy importante.<\/em> (This is a very important topic.)<\/p>\n

Mostrar<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>To show<\/p>\n

La fuente muestra la importancia de la diversidad.<\/em> (The source shows the importance of diversity.)<\/p>\n

Remember, mostrar<\/em> is an o-ue stem-changing verb\u2014pay attention to conjugation!<\/p>\n

Demostrar<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>To demonstrate<\/p>\n

La tabla demuestra que muchos j\u00f3venes en Espa\u00f1a juegan al f\u00fatbol.<\/em> (The table demonstrates that many youths in Spain play football.)<\/p>\n

Demostrar<\/em> is also an o-ue stem changing verb. Luckily for you, it follows the exact same conjugation rules as mostrar<\/em>!<\/p>\n

Indicar<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>To indicate<\/p>\n

La tabla indica que hay muchas familias pobres en ese barrio.<\/em> (The table indicates that there are many poor families in that neighborhood.)<\/p>\n

Apoyar<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>To support<\/p>\n

Estos datos apoyan la idea de que el clima est\u00e1 cambiando.<\/em> (This data supports the idea that the climate is changing)<\/p>\n

Sin duda<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 Without a doubt<\/p>\n

Sin duda, el cambio clim\u00e1tico es el problema m\u00e1s grave que enfrenta nuestra planeta.<\/em> (Without a doubt, climate change is the most serious problem that our planet faces.)<\/p>\n

Contrasting (or comparing)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Por otra parte<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0On the other hand<\/p>\n

Es importante que la econom\u00eda crezca, pero por otra parte, tenemos que cuidar el medio ambiente.<\/em> (It\u2019s important that the economy\u00a0grows, but on the other hand, we have to care for the environment.)<\/p>\n

Aunque<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0Even though\/Although<\/p>\n

Aunque <\/em>is followed by an indicative verb when the outcome is known, but a subjunctive verb when the outcome is speculative.<\/p>\n

Aunque cuesta mucho dinero, tenemos que buscar una soluci\u00f3n. <\/em>(Even though it costs a lot of money, we have to search for a solution.)<\/p>\n

Aunque cueste mucho dinero, tenemos que buscar una soluci\u00f3n<\/em>. (Even though it may cost a lot of money, we have to search for a solution.)<\/p>\n

Al igual que<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0<\/em>Just like<\/p>\n

Al igual que en los a\u00f1os 40, hoy en d\u00eda hay mucha gente que no quiere ayudar a los refugiados de guerra<\/em>. (Just like in the 40s, today there are many people who don\u2019t want to help war refugees.)<\/p>\n

Tanto… como…<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 …<\/em>as well as…<\/p>\n

Fill in this phrase with two nouns to emphasize that you’re talking equally about two different things.<\/p>\n

Tanto chicos como chicas deber\u00edan aprender a cocinar, limpiar, coser y cuidar a los beb\u00e9s.<\/em> (Boys as well as girls ought to learn how to cook, clean, sew and care for babies.)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Sino<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>But rather<\/p>\n

Remember that Spanish has two translations for the English word \u201cbut.\u201d The word sino<\/em> is like the English phrase \u201cbut rather,\u201d used to introduce an alternative.<\/p>\n

En comparaci\u00f3n<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0<\/em>In comparison<\/p>\n

En comparaci\u00f3n, la fuente n\u00famero 2 indica que hay m\u00e1s obesidad en Estados Unidos que en Espa\u00f1a<\/em>. (In comparison, source number 2 indicates that there is more obesity in the United States than in Spain.)<\/p>\n

Leer no es una p\u00e9rdida de tiempo, sino una manera de aprender y de conocer otras culturas<\/em>. (Reading isn\u2019t a waste of time, but rather a way to learn and understand other cultures.)<\/p>\n

Transitional phrases<\/h3>\n

Adem\u00e1s<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Additionally<\/p>\n

This word is usually seen at the beginning of a sentence, and it\u2019s useful for transitioning from one idea or argument to another.<\/p>\n

Adem\u00e1s, es evidente que la tecnolog\u00eda nos ayuda mucho.<\/em> (Additionally, it\u2019s evident that technology helps us a lot.)<\/p>\n

Sin embargo<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>However<\/p>\n

This is another good transition word. In your essay, you may want to present an alternate argument and then explain why you disagree with it. Sin embargo<\/em> is very helpful for this.<\/p>\n

Obviamente, estudiar es muy importante. Sin embargo, es necesario que los adolescentes tengan tiempo para jugar con sus amigos<\/em>. (Obviously, studying is very important. However, it\u2019s necessary that teenagers have time to play with their friends.)<\/p>\n

Por lo cual<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>For this reason\/That\u2019s why\/Which is why<\/p>\n

This phrase is used in the middle of a sentence\u00a0to connect ideas.<\/p>\n

La Amazon\u00eda tiene un alto nivel de biodiversidad, por lo cual la\u00a0conservaci\u00f3n\u00a0de esta regi\u00f3n debe ser una prioridad.\u00a0<\/em>(The Amazon has a high level of biodiversity, which is why the conservation of this region must be a priority.)<\/p>\n

Changing topics<\/h3>\n

Sobre un tema relacionado<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 On a related topic<\/p>\n

Sobre un tema relacionado con la inteligencia artificial, se est\u00e1n llevando a cabo investigaciones para mejorar la capacidad de aprendizaje de los algoritmos de machine learning.\u00a0<\/em>(Regarding a topic related to artificial intelligence, research is being conducted to enhance the learning capacity of machine learning algorithms.)<\/p>\n

Cuando se trata de<\/em> \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>When it comes to<\/p>\n

Relacionado con esta idea <\/strong><\/em>\u2014 Related to this idea<\/p>\n

Una idea similar es<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 A similar idea is<\/p>\n

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Una idea similar es utilizar la realidad virtual como herramienta educativa para mejorar la experiencia de aprendizaje de los estudiantes.<\/em> (A similar idea is to use virtual reality as an educational tool to enhance the learning experience of students.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ahora estoy pasando a\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>\u2014 Now moving onto<\/p>\n

Concluding your essay<\/h3>\n

In your final paragraph, you\u2019ll want to provide a summary of your main argument and your main supporting points. You can use the following helpful phrases:<\/p>\n

En conclusi\u00f3n<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>In conclusion<\/p>\n

En resumen<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>In summary<\/p>\n

En fin<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>Finally<\/p>\n

En conclusi\u00f3n,\/En resumen,\/En fin, las tres fuentes muestran que la contaminaci\u00f3n del aire es un problema muy grave para todo el mundo<\/em>. (In summary, the three sources show that air pollution is a very serious problem for the whole world.)<\/p>\n

After summarizing your essay, you\u2019ll want to restate your main argument in a succinct, strongly-worded sentence. Start with these phrases:<\/p>\n

Por estas razones<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>For these reasons<\/p>\n

Por eso<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 That is why<\/p>\n

As\u00ed que<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>Therefore<\/p>\n

Entonces<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 So<\/p>\n

Por estas razones,\/Por eso,\/As\u00ed que\/Entonces, afirmo que los adolescentes no deber\u00edan usar las redes sociales. <\/em>(For these reasons, I affirm that teenagers should not use social media.)<\/p>\n

How to Prepare for the AP Spanish Essay<\/h2>\n

In many ways, preparing for the free-response\u00a0section is the same as preparing for the rest of the AP exam.<\/p>\n

It involves studying grammar and vocabulary, and it also means immersing yourself in the Spanish language as much as possible.<\/p>\n

There are also some targeted ways to practice for the free-response\u00a0section.<\/p>\n