Long Essay Question (LEQ) By Jeff Anderson
Long Essay Question Section II, Part B of the AP Exam consists of a choice among three long essay questions from different time spans of the course. Students choose from the three long essay questions, which deal with periods 1–2, periods 3–4, or periods 5–6 of the course. The three question options all address the same Theme and assess the same Historical Reasoning Skill. In order to receive the highest scores, students must develop an argument and support it with an analysis of specific, relevant historical evidence of their choosing. Long essay questions ask about large-scale topics specifically mentioned in the concept outline, but they are framed to allow students to provide in-depth discussion of specific examples drawn from the concept outline or from classroom instruction.
Themes Theme 1: Interaction Between Humans and the Environment Theme 2: Development and Interaction of Cultures Theme 3: State Building, Expansion, and Conflict Theme 4: Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems Theme 5: Development and Transformation of Social Structures 28
Historical Thinking Skills Compare / Contrast Cause / Effect Change and Continuity Over Time (CCOT)
Comparison (Compare / Contrast) Describe similarities and/ or differences between different historical developments or processes. Explain relevant similarities and/or differences between specific historical developments and processes. Explain the relative historical significance of similarities and/or differences between different historical developments or processes.
A B A B were similar in the way that they… were different in the way that they…
Causation (Causes and/or Effects) Describe causes or effects of a specific historical development or process. Explain the relationship between causes and effects of a specific historical development or process. Explain the difference between primary and secondary causes and between short- and long-term effects. Explain the relative historical significance of different causes and/or effects.
Causes Effects Causes AND Effects A Event Event A B B C C A Event A B
Continuity and Change Over Time (CCOT) Describe patterns of continuity and/or change over time. Explain patterns of continuity and/or change over time. Explain the relative historical significance of specific historical developments in relation to a larger pattern of continuity and/or change.
Snap Shot A Snap Shot B Changes Continuities
Rubric
LEQ Essay Structure
Intro Paragraph Contextualization Thesis
Contextualization Much like the DBQ, your intro paragraph will start with “Setting the Stage” Where does the topic of the information fit into World History? What was going on in the world before, during, or after this event/topic? Start big (Key Concept) get narrower in scope (Learning Target) end small (Thesis)
Thesis (Format) Thesis statement that includes the given categories 3 “Details” sentences that will serve as topic sentences for your body paragraphs
Thesis Use all information given (time period, region, etc.) You will be given the categories to work with (political, economic, etc.) You MUST write about the categories you are given (Address the Question!) 2:1 Ratio 2 Similarities / 1 Difference 2 Causes / 1 Effect 2 Changes / 1 Continuity
Thesis (Details Sentences) A “Details” sentence provide a little more specific information about your chosen category Comparison Topic A and Topic B are similar politically because of _________________. Causation Trade was heavily impacted in Region A and Region B by _________________. Continuity and Change Over Time One of the political changes that occurred from Snap Shot A to Snap Shot B was ______________.
Body Paragraphs Topic Sentence can be the same as your previously used “Details” sentences State similarity/difference, cause/effect, or change/continuity What was it specifically Demonstrate this with at least 3 pieces of evidence Use historical figures, places, events, facts, etc. (BE SPECIFIC) In at least one of these statements, tell WHY they are similar/different, what CAUSED the cause/effect, or what WHY that change/continuity occurred “Due to,” “Because of,” “The reason for,” etc.
Conclusion Not on Rubric This is your second chance to get your Thesis point! Restate your thesis in different terminology DON’T REWRITE THE SAME THING!!! If you missed it once, you’ll miss it again this way Reverse engineer your intro paragraph You also get a second chance at Contextualization here!
LEQ Essay Structure