1. How to LEQ

2. Step 1: Writing a strong supporting paragraph
Analytical topic sentence that makes a claim (argument) that reflects your thesis and the prompt.
Explanations of all of the points that you make.
Will I ask “How so?”
Use the words “because…”
Evidence
Supporting FACTs and examples
Must have at least 7-8 in the essay
Try to use the evidence in a way that substantiates (proves) your thesis
Reason Why
Always connect back to the thesis! Go FULL CIRCLE like on the SAQ

3. Egypt and Mesopotamia during the River Valley period were very similar in regards to their religion and reliance on the environment. In regards to religion both were polytheistic and closely tied to their environment. In Egypt the worshiped a variety of gods like Horus and Ra. They would often pray to Ra in order to ensure that the Nile flooded on schedule. In Mesopotamia their religion was also polytheistic and closely tied to the environment. The Sumerians for example saw their gods as capricious and mean. For example they believed the gods sent a huge flood to wipe out their civilization at one point. Both Egypt and Mesopotamia were also closely tied to their environment. The Egyptians relied on the Nile River to grow crops, like wheat, which were very valuable trade goods. The Egyptians also developed technology like irrigation systems (the shaduf) to assist in farming along the Nile. Likewise, the civilizations of Mesopotamia also were closely tied to their environment. They too relied on their rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates (although they weren’t as reliable as the Nile) to grow crops. The Mesopotamians and Egyptians were both closely tied to their environments as they both relied on their rivers economically. That coupled with their polytheistic religions made the two civilizations very similar. The reason why they were so similar is because of their similar geography. Both arose in river valleys because the seasonal flooding of the rivers provide very land for farming, which allowed both to develop food surpluses and grow as civilizations.