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How to Write the Long Essay Question

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Exam INformation

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Section II: Document-Based Question and Long Essay

2 questions | 1 hour, 40 minutes | 40% of overall score

  • Students must complete two essay responses in Section II of the AP Exam
  • The second of these responses is the Long Essay Question
    • Recommended time: 40 minutes
    • 15% of overall score
    • Students are presented with 3 prompts and must select ONE to respond to in a well organized essay
    • All prompts will ask students to focus on the same skill and reasoning process (comparison, causation, or continuity and change over time)

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LEQ Prompts

AP European History Prompts

  • Option 1: focuses on historical developments and processes from 1450-1700
  • Option 2: focuses on historical developments and processes from 1648-1914
  • Option 3: focuses on historical developments and processes from 1815-2001

AP US History Prompts

  • Option 1: focuses on historical developments and processes from 1491-1800
  • Option 2: focuses on historical developments and processes from 1800-1898
  • Option 3: focuses on historical developments and processes from 1890-2001

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Scoring

Students can earn up to 6 points on the LEQ

  • 1 pt Contextualization
  • 1 pt Thesis
  • 2 pt Evidence
    • 1 pt: provides evidence (minimum 2 pieces of evidence) that is relevant to the prompt
    • 1 pt: uses evidence to support argument
  • 1 pt Historical Reasoning: uses a historical reasoning skill to frame essay
  • 1 pt Complex Understanding

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Essay Tips

  • Always think of your reader. Be clear, specific, and EXPLAIN.
    • Avoid vague language (no they, people, etc)
  • Use black or blue ink only
  • Do not use contractions (use “do not” instead of “don’t”)
  • Write in the 3rd person
    • First person = I, we, our, us, me, mine, my… NEVER.
    • Second person = you, your…… NEVER.
  • Write in the past tense, because it’s history.
  • You may mark out mistakes. BUT… just use a simple line to cross out (no scribbles)
  • Do not try to be “cute”
  • Use STANDARD ACADEMIC ENGLISH!
  • Use correct historical terms
    • Facts are names, dates, people, events, places, things

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Structure of the Essay

Essay should be 4-5 paragraphs

  1. Introduction paragraph
    1. Context (transition/bridge) thesis
  2. Body paragraphs (2-3)
    • Spill the TEA for each piece of evidence
  3. Conclusion paragraph
    • Complexity

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The Body Paragraphs: Evidence!! (1 or 2 pts)

  • Supports the stated thesis, or makes a relevant argument, using specific evidence (1 POINT)
  • The essay is thesis-driven, meaning it clearly and consistently states how the evidence supports the thesis AND establishes clear linkages between the evidence and the thesis. (1 POINT)
  • Each of your body paragraphs should focus on a specific piece(s) of evidence.
  • Use SPECIFIC evidence. Do not write in vague terms (i.e. “a lot of stuff was happening during that time” is NOT evidence!!)
  • ANALYZE your evidence. Explain WHY or HOW this evidence supports your thesis. It is not enough to simply give a laundry list of facts (“data-dumping”). You must explain why this fact proves your argument is true.

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Analysis & Reasoning (1 or 2 pts)

Comparison

  • 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.

Example prompt stems:

  • Evaluate the extent to which the ______ and the ______ were different from each other.
  • Evaluate the extent to which the ______ differed from the _____.

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Causation

  • 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

Example prompt stems:

  • Evaluate the extent to which ______ influenced/affected ______.
  • Evaluate the most significant cause/development/factor/motivation of _______ within the period from #### to ####.

Continuity & Change

  • 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.

Example prompt stems:

  • Evaluate the extent to which ______ fostered change in ______ from #### to ####.
  • Evaluate the extent to which ______ altered _____ in the period from #### to ####.

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