APUSH Long Essay Structure and Rubric Overview

Long Essay The Long Essay is worth 15% of your AP Exam score. Two questions: You pick one to write. Can be over any historical period. 5 minutes to plan; 30 minutes to write.

Long Essay Structure Traditionally a 4-5 paragraph essay. Introduction with thesis statement. 2-3 Body paragraphs Conclusion paragraph.

Long Essay Skills Comparison Causation Periodization Continuity and Change Over Time

Long Essay Rubric Thesis Statement = 0-1 point Usually 1-3 sentences in length. Should be found in one place, introduction or conclusion. Must be historically defensible AND respond to ALL parts of the question.

Evaluate the extent to which the French and Indian War marked a turning point in American relations with Great Britain. Sample Thesis #1: “This war, to a great extent, marked a turning point in the relationship between America and Britain due to the change in economic policies, restrictions on expansion, and the limited preservation of trade relations with England.”

Evaluate the extent to which the French and Indian War marked a turning point in American relations with Great Britain. Sample Thesis #2 “The French and Indian war marked a major turning point in American relations with Great Britain, which changes such as increased British control and anti-British sentiment in the colonies, but also continuities such as a loyalty to Britain that remained largely untouched by the war.”

Long Essay Rubric Argumentation using historical skill = 0-2 points 1 point for describing: Comparison, Causation, Continuity and Change, and turning points. 1 point explaining reasons for similarities AND differences, reasons for causes AND/OR effects, explain historical developments that account for change using developments that precede AND follow an event.

Description Acceptable description example: “Both before and after the war, officials attempted to place taxes on colonial goods to finance the empire.” “Before the war the American Militias were responsible for colonial safety. After the war, however, the ‘safety’ of the colonists was in the hands of the oppressive British government.”

Description Unacceptable descriptions: “The way of life of the colonies remained the same because the British had neglected the colonies, allowing them to develop their own way of living and running things.” “The U.S. and Great Britain had been on bad terms ever since the American Revolution.”

Explains Acceptable explanations: “Once Great Britain changed its economic policy in America from Salutary Neglect to rigid economic control, tensions began rising and the relationship between the colonies and the colonizers changed drastically.” “Discontent became a major change in Anglo-American relations with one another as protests grew to British involvement in American affairs. Before the war, Americans were ok with some taxes and controlled trade and restrictions, but the sudden and seemingly illegal tax actions forced protests and traitorous talks, none of which had been prominent before the war.”

Long Essay Rubric Argument Development Using Evidence = 0-2 points. 1 Point: Addresses topic of the question with specific examples of relevant evidence. Terms! 1 Point: Utilizes specific examples of evidence to fully and effectively substantiate the stated thesis or relevant argument.

Evidence Some specific examples could include: British debt from Seven Years War Colonial attitudes toward autonomy prior to the war. Imperial policies in the wake of the Seven Years War. Colonial resentments over treatment of colonial forces by British regulars. British efforts to negotiate with American Indians. Albany Plan of Union.

Evidence Less important turning point: Continuation of trans-Atlantic trade Longstanding beliefs in republicanism, natural rights, the Enlightenment, and the Great Awakening. Unchanged labor systems like slavery. Zenger trial or other events that show already distinct colonial identity well before the war. Previous British policies of mercantilism.

Evidence Significant turning point: Taxation (terms!) and efforts of Britain to assert greater control over colonial affairs. British troops left in colonies (standing army). Quartering Act of 1765 Proclamation Line of 1763 Sugar Act and Stamp Act to pay for war debt. Renewal of enforcement of mercantilism.

Essay Rubric Synthesis = 0-1 point Extends the Argument by explaining the connections between the argument and ONE of the following: A development in a different historical period, situation, era, or geographical area. A course theme and/or approach to history that is no the focus of the essay (such as political, economic, social, cultural, or intellectual history).

Synthesis Appropriate use of synthesis: “The French and Indian War’s results were similar to what took place in the French Revolution later on, in that debt from the war helped cause colonial independence from Britain, while the debt from involvement in the American Revolution helped inspire the French Revolution.”

Planning and Outlining Must be done quickly! Make a lists of examples that quickly come to mind based on prompt. Use a graphic organizer (T-chars/Vin diagrams/timelines) to quickly organize your thoughts. Plan body paragraph topics (such as social, economic, political), and order of evidence in paragraphs.

Outlining Para 1- Intro: Thesis Para 2- Topic (Economic) Mercantilism End of Salutary Neglect Taxes for war debt (Sugar/Stamp)

Outlining Para 3- Topic (political) Colonial assemblies before the war. “No taxation without representation” after the war. Protests –Boston Tea Party or Stamp Act Congress. Proclamation Line Para 4 - Conclusion- synthesis (military/ Natives), restate argument and why this turning point was important.

Sample Questions 1. Evaluate how the French and Indian War impacted the relationship between Great Britain and the British colonies between (Causation) 2. How did new forms of government evolve in the United States from 1776 to 1790? (Continuity and Change)