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Mastering the LEQ Essay in AP European History

Learn how to write a successful Long Essay Question (LEQ) in AP European History, including tips, structure, and key components for scoring high. Understand the Historical Thinking Skills and craft a strong thesis supported by evidence.

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Mastering the LEQ Essay in AP European History

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  1. How to write the Long essay question AP European History Mr. Edsall

  2. The Differences between SAQ, LEQ, and DBQ. LEQ AND DBQ are given at same time. So you will have 100 minutes to plan and write 2 essays. No one will be looking over your shoulder telling you how much time to spend on one or another…PLAY THE GAME!!!!

  3. The Long Essay Question • The LEQ is an essay that must be written in 40minutes. • You will choose ONE from 3 options on the exam. • It is scored with a rubric of 6 points possible. • There are three different types of LEQ’s, based on Historical Thinking Skills: • Causation • Comparison • Continuity and Change Over Time • You will not know ahead of time which Historical Thinking Skill (HTS) you will be tasked with until the exam. • There are different rubric requirements for each HST type of essay.

  4. Tips for Writing Essays in History (AP class or not) • Always think of your reader. Be clear, specific, and EXPLAIN. • Avoid vague language. • Use black or blue ink only • Do not use contractions (use “do not” instead of “don’t”) • Write in the 3rd person • First person = I, we, our, us, me, mine, my… NEVER. • Second person = you, your…… NEVER. • Write in the past tense, because it’s history. • You may mark out mistakes. BUT… • Do not try to be “cute” • Use STANDARD ACADEMIC ENGLISH! • Use correct historical terms • i.e. “normalcy” is not a standard English word, but it is a historical term • Facts are names, dates, people, events, places, things

  5. The Structure of the Essay • Your whole essay should be between 3 to 5 paragraphs • Introduction Paragraph • Body Paragraphs: 2-3 • (Optional)Conclusion Paragraph **No one counts paragraphs!!!!**

  6. Contextualization (1pt) • Connects historical phenomena relevant to the argument to broader historical events and/or processes. Essentially, provide the necessary background information that the reader needs to know in order to understand and place the topic within its relevant historical time, period, situation, era or geographical area. • hints • What time period are you writing about? What major events are taking place around this particular topic in your essay? BE SPECIFIC. • Was there something that led up the events in the essay?

  7. Contextualization • Connects historical phenomena relevant to the argument to broader historical events and/or processes. Essentially, provide the necessary background information that the reader needs to know in order to understand and place the topic within its relevant historical time, period, situation, era or geographical area. • hints • What time period are you writing about? What major events are taking place around this particular topic in your essay? BE SPECIFIC. • Was there something that led up the events in the essay?

  8. Thesis Statement/Argument: 1 POINT • The introduction paragraph is a good place to include historical context. • What time period are you writing about? What major events are taking place around this particular topic in your essay? BE SPECIFIC. • Was there something that led up the events in the essay? • Must include your THESIS STATEMENT. (1 POINT) • Your thesis must be CLEAR and DIRECTLY ANSWER ALL PARTS OF THE QUESTION. • Cannot just re-state the question. • Must make a HISTORICALLY DEFENSIBLE CLAIM and consist of one or more sentences located in one place. Your thesis must be in the introduction. • A CLAIM is your point of view, or argument, about a given topic. • To be HISTORICALLY DEFENSIBLE means it must be BASED ON FACTS. • To strengthen your thesis, include at least 2 to 3 facts (EVIDENCE) in your thesis (XYZ).

  9. The Body Paragraphs: Evidence and Support for Thesis: 2 POINTS • Provides specific historical examples of evidence relevant to the topic of the prompt (1pt) • Utilizes specific historical evidence to fully and effectively substantiate a relevant argument (1pt). • Each of your body paragraphs should focus on a specific piece(s) of evidence. • Use SPECIFIC evidence. Do not write in vague terms (i.e. “a lot of stuff was happening during that time” is NOT evidence!!) • ANALYZE your evidence. Explain WHY or HOW this evidence supports your thesis. It is not enough to simply give a laundry list of facts (“data-dumping”). You must explain why this fact proves your argument is true.

  10. Historical Thinking Skills: 2 POINTS • There are three different types of essays. You will only write one on the AP exam. • Causation • Comparison • Continuity and Change Over Time • Basically just ANSWER THE PROMPT

  11. HST: Causation • DESCRIBES causes AND/OR effects of a historical development, event, or process (1 POINT) • Example: The Protestant Reformation • Describe CAUSES- What was the Renaissance? What was the printing press? When and where was it invented? What were indulgences? Who was Martin Luther? • Describe EFFECTS- What was the Peace of Augsberg? Who were the Calvinists? What was the Anglican Church? What were the religious wars, and where were they fought? Who fought them? • ANALYZES specific examples that illustrate causes and/or effects of a historical event, development, or process (1 POINT) • Explains the reasons for the causes/effects • Analyze CAUSES- How did the Renaissance inspire new religious ideas? How did the printing press help to spread new ideas? Why were indulgences problematic for many Europeans and clergy? How did Martin Luther influence the movement? What inspired him? • Analyze EFFECTS- What brought about the Peace of Augsberg, and how did it affect Europe? What conflicts brought about the development of Calvinism and Anglicanism? How did the division of Christendom bring about political conflict and wars in Europe?

  12. HST: Comparison • Describes similarities AND differences among historical individuals, events, developments, or processes (1 POINT) • Describes specific examples, and… (1POINT) • Analyzes (explains) the reasons for their similarities and differences OR(depending on the prompt) • Evaluates the relative significance of the historical developments. • i.e., discuss strengths and weaknesses of each event/process/event, or give your opinion (in 3rd person) of how significant or important each was.

  13. HST: Continuity and Change Over Time (CCOT) • DESCRIBES continuity AND change over time (1 POINT) • CONTINUITY: How much did “things” (society, politics, economics, religious life, art, etc) remain mostly the same or consistent? • CHANGE OVER TIME: How much did things change over a specified amount of time? • ANALYZES using specific examples that explain the reasons for the continuity AND change over time (1 POINT) • CONTINUITY: Why and how did society, politics, economics, religious life, art, etc remain largely the same over a specified amount of time? Use specific examples. • CHANGE OVER TIME: Why and how did society, politics, economics, religious life, art, etc change so much over a specified amount of time? Give examples.

  14. Extended Analysis • Demonstratesunderstanding of the historical developments that is the focus of the prompt, using evidence to corroborate, qualify or modify an argument that address the question. • Explains nuances of an issue by analyzing multiple variables. • Explains both similarities and differences, or explains multiple causes or explains causes and effects. • Explains relevant and insightful connections within and across periods. • Confirms the validity of an argument by corroborating multiple perspectives across themes. • Qualifies or modifies an argument by considering diverse or alternative views or evidence.

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