1. AP EURO LONG ESSAY
Question will fall into one of the following Historical Thinking Skills from AP Curriculum
Historical Causation
Continuity and Change over Time
Periodization
Comparison
You must use historical argumentation and appropriate use of historical evidence!

2. Tips:
Read the prompt CAREFULLY!! – What is the thinking skill being addressed? What are some other events that occurred during the same time period? (historical context) If you have time you can create a quick outline.
Also make sure to pay attention if it is asking you to answer TWO parts. Key words such as “and” & “both”
Analyze the impact of the Protestant Reformation on European politics and society in the 16th century.
You need to ANALYZE! Do not just report information!

3. Tips: Write a good thesis! (1 point)
Does it address ALL parts of the question?
Do not simply restate the prompt!
Can be multiple sentences!
Take a position and make note of HTS

4. Thesis
Historical Causation- What are the major causes or consequences of “event” and what were the most important causes or consequences?
Continuity and Change Over Time- What are the major patterns of continuity or change over the time period and was there more continuity or change over that time period?
Comparison- What similarities and differences are there between the two things, are there more similarities or differences, and why, account for those!
Periodization- Evaluate whether something was a turning point or a major period in history, noting what things were like before and after that period.

5. Synthesis Extend the thesis
Use an additional appropriate category of analysis beyond what the prompt requires; for example, if the overall direction of the prompt is economic history, you might connect it to some political evidence
Appropriately connects the topic of the question to other historical periods and circumstances; for example, you might connect an LEQ on women’s suffrage in the 20th c with earlier suffrage movements or earlier women’s movements

6. Tips! STICK TO THE QUESTION! Be concise
Do not use absolutes- never, all, none, every, etc…
Assume reader uninformed- be clear!
Use SPECIFIC Evidence!
Write in 3rd Person!! I will not grade a 1st person essay!
Use key words that indicate analysis controversial, turning point, inevitable, more importantly, ironic, key, significant, primary, secondary, predominant, imperative, any indicator of degrees of causation
Try to use active voice instead of passive
“Da Vinci created” vs. “was created by Da Vinci”
Past tense! You are writing about history! The events occurred.

7. Tips! Do NOT write conversationally! Please capitalize proper nouns!
Do not use metaphors that have no bearing on the issue
Justify, Justify, Justify!
Avoid lumping- “The Protestants felt…” “The Europeans wanted…”
Do not put yourself into history. Don’t say “We”

8. For tomorrow’s essay:
You will have the whole class to write your essay! Use your time wisely!
The question covers Period 1- so anything in Period 1 is fair game (Renaissance 30 Years’ War)
You can use the rubric as a guide
Please write neatly!
To help you study, go over notes, key terms and concepts, and READ!!

9. Review Activity
What are key changes that occurred in Europe from the beginning of the Renaissance through the end of the 30 Years’ War?
What is the most important development and why? DEFEND!