1. Writing the LEQ (Long Essay Question)
AP World History – Mr. Sakole

2. SECTION II – Part B: Long Essay Question
40 minutes writing time
15% of your exam score
3 choices of question prompts. You choose 1 of the question prompts:
All have the same theme (social, economic, political, cultural, environmental)
All assess the same historical reasoning skill
Causation OR
Comparison OR
Continuity and Change Over Time (CCOT)

3. Section II – Part B: Long Essay Question
Question choice 1 will come from Periods 1 and/or 2
Question choice 2 will come from Periods 3 and/or 4
Question choice 3 will come from Periods 5 and/or 6
You will indicate your choice in the essay answer booklet

4. Which historical reasoning skill is being used in these questions?

5. Section III – Part B Long Essay Question
Each prompt will be proceeded by general background information related to the subject or topic of the prompt
This background information is NOT part of the prompt (meaning that you do not have to address it in your thesis)
This background information may be a guide to writing your contextualization paragraph.
This background information might hold some clues as to how to formulate a thesis that addresses the prompt.
DOES NOT COUNT FOR CONTEXTUALIZATION!

6. LEQ Rubric
Thesis (1 point)
Responds to the prompt with a historically defensible thesis/claim that establishes a line of reasoning
To earn this point, the thesis must make a claim that responds to the prompt rather than restating or rephrasing the prompt.
The thesis must consist of one or more sentences located in one place, either the introduction or the conclusion.

7. Contextualization (1point)
LEQ RUBRIC
Contextualization (1point)
Describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt
To earn this point, the response must relate to the topic of the prompt to broader historical events, developments, or processes that occur before, during, or continue after the time frame of the question.
This point is not awarded for merely a phrase or reference

8. Supports an Argument (1 point)
LEQ Rubric
Evidence (1 point)
Provides specific examples of evidence relevant to the topic of the prompt.
How many? At LEAST two.
Supports an Argument (1 point)
Supports and argument in response to the prompt using specific and relevant examples of evidence
How many times? We don’t know. Definitely some number greater than twice.

9. Historical Reasoning (1 point)
LEQ Rubric
Historical Reasoning (1 point)
Uses historical reasoning (e.g. comparison, causation, CCOT) to frame or structure an argument that addresses the prompt.
Just to confuse you: This DOES NOT have to be the HRS implied in the prompt!
Complexity (1 point)
Demonstrates a complex understanding of the historical development that is the focus of the prompt, using evidence to corroborate, qualify, or modify an argument that addresses the question.

10. To earn the two points for Analysis (Complexity) and Reasoning
LEQ Rubric
To earn the two points for Analysis (Complexity) and Reasoning
The response must demonstrate a complex understanding. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, such as:
Explaining the nuance of an issue by analyzing multiple variables.
Explaining both similarities and differences, or explaining both continuity and change, or explaining multiple causes, or explaining both causes and effects.
Explaining relevant and insightful connections within and across periods.
Confirming the validity of an argument by corroborating multiple perspectives across themes.
Qualifying or modifying an argument by considering diverse or alternative views or evidence.
This understanding must be part of the argument, not merely a phrase or reference.

11. Differences in the Historical reasoning skills
Causation
The prompt will refer to CAUSES AND/OR EFFECTS (but most likely one or the other)
Your thesis and argument must address the prompt BUT you can also extend your argument
If the prompt calls for causes, you can also provide effects
You can include multiple causes
Phrases like “Led to” or “Were a result of” are indicators that the prompt is referring to CAUSATION

12. Differences in the historical reasoning skills
Comparison
The prompt will refer to SIMILARITIES AND/OR DIFFERENCES (but most likely one or the other).
Your thesis and argument must address the prompt BUT you can extend your argument
If the prompt calls for similarities, you can also address differences.
You can include multiple similarities
You can include multiple differences
Phrases like “Had in common” or “Diverged from” are indicator that the prompt is referring to COMPARISON.

13. Differences in the historical reasoning skills
Continuity and Change Over Time (CCOT)
The prompt will refer to CONTINUITIES AND/OR CHANGES (but most likely one or the other).
Your thesis and argument must address the prompt BUT you can extend your argument
If the prompt calls for changes, you can also address continuities.
You can include multiple changes
You can include multiple continuities
Phrases like “Transformed” or “Remained constant” are indicator that the prompt is referring to CONTINUITY and CHANGE OVER TIME.

14. Essay structure
Contextualization and Thesis Paragraph – can be one sentence or multiple sentences (Must demonstrate use of a HRS)
Topic 1
Assertion sentence (Must demonstrate use of a HRS)
Evidence that supports this assertion
If a comparison, you must have evidence from both subjects of the comparison
Use the evidence to support the assertion by:
Directly stating how each piece of evidence supports the assertion.
Connecting the evidence together to prove the assertion.

15. Assertion sentence (Must demonstrate use of a HRS)
Essay Structure
Topic 1I
Assertion sentence (Must demonstrate use of a HRS)
Evidence that supports this assertion
If a comparison, you must have evidence from both subjects of the comparison
Use the evidence to support the assertion by:
Directly stating how each piece of evidence supports the assertion.
Connecting the evidence together to prove the assertion.

16. Essay structure
Topic III – maybe where you show a difference if you have done similarities, changes if you have done continuities, causes if you have done effects, etc.
Assertion sentence (Must demonstrate use of a HRS)
Evidence that supports this assertion
If a comparison, you must have evidence from both subjects of the comparison
Use the evidence to support the assertion by:
Directly stating how each piece of evidence supports the assertion.
Connecting the evidence together to prove the assertion.

17. Conclusion – IF YOU HAVE TIME
Essay Structure
Conclusion – IF YOU HAVE TIME
Restate your thesis
Word for word if you have to.

18. 2017 LEQ Prompt

19. Let’s look at the following:
2017 LeQ Essay
Let’s look at the following:
AP World History Scoring Guidelines – Long Essay Question 1
AP World History Scoring Guidelines – Scoring Notes
Read Sample Essay A
Using your Scoring Rubric Checklist, score this essay with a partner.
Read Sample Essay E
Using your Scoring Rubric Checklist, score this essay on your own.