Redesigned LEQs For APUSH

Long Essay Question You will have a choice between 2 questions Obviously you should choose the one you’re most confident with Focus on a particular Historical Thinking Skill 35 Minutes = 15% of APUSH score

4 parts of the essay for 6 points Argumentation Use of Evidence Targeted historical thinking skill Synthesis Remember that your opinion is worthless unless you support it with evidence and connect it to a broader historical context

Thesis = 1 point Directly address all parts of the prompt Remember not to be extreme, you can be in gray area but make sure you stay focused. Multiple questions in prompt = all addressed in theses 3 part prompt = 3 items in thesis

Evidence = 2 points Clearly and consistently state how the evidence supports your essay and establish clear links Analyze … don’t describe Its not what you know, its what you can prove

Historical Thinking Skills = 2 points Causation CCOT Comparison Periodization

Causation Describe causes and effects Analyze specific examples that illustrate Example: Evaluate how the French and Indian War (Seven Years War) impacted the relationship between Great Britain and the British colonies from 1754-1776

Continuity and Change Over Time Describe and analyze specific examples that illustrate historic CCOT Interpretation Example: Identify and analyze the changing relationship between England and the British colonies between the years 1607-1763

Comparison Describe similarities and differences Provide specific examples Analyze reasons ….and depending on the prompt Evaluate the relative significance of the historical development Example: C&C the colonies in the Chesapeake with the New England colonies. Be sure to address two of the three areas in your essay: economic, political, and social.

Periodization Analyze the extend to which the historical development was different and similar to developments that preceded/followed Specific examples to illustrate analysis Example: Evaluate the extent to which the French and Indian War was a turning point in American History

Synthesis = 1 point Extend or modify thesis Additional category beyond the prompt Connect to another period, geographical area, context or circumstance Connect analysis to different fields World European

Summer Assignment SQ3R

Survey Look over the reading (chapter/section/subsection) This is NOT reading. Jot down items such as headings, subheadings, captions, graphs, illustrations, maps etc… Get a feel for what will be important in the reading Glance at any questions the text might include, these are good indicators of important points

After you Survey you can answer… What is the topic of this reading? What is the purpose of this reading? What do I already know about this topic? Making mental connections from new to prior information is the heart of learny stuff

Question Develop a (3) higher level question about each section of the reading Why? How? Explain Analyze Answer your own questions in a simple, well constructed paragraph* *Done after the Read step

Read Read the section Take notes on key concepts in your own words: Answer the questions you developed (SQ3R) Take notes on key concepts in your own words: Definitions Characteristics Names / Dates Examples Cause / Effect Similarities / Differences

Recite Look away from the text and your notes Answer your questions out loud* Recite a very brief summary of what you’ve just read If you can’t do this then you probably don’t understand what you’ve just read to the extent that you need to, go back and re-read *Don’t be embarrassed about talking to yourself out loud, you are already the living version of the pictures your future-self will be embarrassed of

Review Super important After completing the previous 4 steps you should be able to create a written summary (outline) of the section you’ve just read You don’t necessarily HAVE to do a written outline but you should be able to speak about the reading without notes and in your own words at this point

Finally, SQ3Rs… …are a great way to learn from readings more deeply …are essentially your Summer Assignment …are a great way to learn from readings more deeply …should not be quick or easy …a favorite assignment of Mr. Lipman