Long Essay Questions (LEQ)

The AP Exam

AP EURO HISTORY EXAM: 3 HOURS 15 MINUTES

• Section I - Part A: Multiple Choice | 55 Questions | 55 Minutes | 40% of Exam Score
• Section I - Part B: Short Answer | 3 Questions (Students choose between 4) | 40 Minutes | 20% of Exam Score
• Section II - Part A: Document Based | 1 Question | 60 Minutes | 25% of Exam Score
• Section II - Part B: Long Essay | 1 Question (Students choose between 3) | 40 Minutes | 15% of Exam Score

LEQ Facts

• Long Essay - 40 Minutes - 15% of Exam Score
• Explain and analyze significant issues in European history.
• Develop an argument supported by an analysis of historical evidence.
• Choice between three comparable questions from different time periods.
• Option 1: 1450-1700
• Option 2: 1648-1914
• Option 3: 1815-2001

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Comparison

Example Question:

Evaluate the most significant difference between economic development in eastern Europe and economic development in western and central Europe in the 1800s.

Comparison essays

*NOTE:

If you decide to ALSO write about similarities for the question below, you are setting yourself up for Complex understanding. You do NOT need to do it.

Evaluate the most significant difference between economic development in eastern Europe and economic development in western and central Europe in the 1800s.

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Causation

Example Question:

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To what extent did British political, social, and economic policies and their consequences lead to the American revolution?

Continuity and Change over Time (CCOT)

Example Question:

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Evaluate the extent to which the French Revolution contributed to maintaining continuity as well as fostering change in politics, economy, and society from 1789-1800.

LEQ Scoring

• Thesis (1 point)
• Contextualization (1 point)
• Evidence (2 points)
• Analysis and Reasoning (2 points)

LEQ Scoring

(approximate)

• 6=100%
• 5=92%
• 4=83%
• 3=76%
• 2=67%
• 1=60%

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Contextualization

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(THESIS)Take a stand in the Restatement

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Because statement

w/2 or 3 examples (not usually 1 sentence)

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Contextualization (1 Point)

• Contextualization - Describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt.
• To earn this point, the response must relate 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 a reference.
• Give 2-3 Sentences of Historical Background in the beginning of your intro paragraph, this will provide context for your argument.
• You also need to continue to reference Contextualization throughout the essay.

Thesis (1 point)

• Presents a Thesis that:
• makes a historically defensible claim
• establishes a line of reasoning
• The thesis must consist of one or more sentences in the intro or the conclusion.
• The Thesis should provide organizational categories that will be used in the essay (A & B become your topic sentences)

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Sample Prompt

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Evaluate the most significant difference between economic development in eastern Europe and economic development in western and central Europe in the 1800s.

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MARK UP THE PROMPT BY UNDERLINING:

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1. the time period (if not listed, use HUB dates)
2. the historical thinking skill
3. mark the categories you need to write about

Excellent Thesis

Evaluate the most significant difference between economic development in eastern Europe and economic development in western and central Europe in the 1800s.

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The main difference that made Eastern Europe fall behind Western Europe economically was that Western Europe developed overseas trade and colonial presence in Africa and Asia which benefitted Western Europe’s industry and commerce.

Heimler’s History for LEQs

this video is here for your information if you were absent or you want to refresh your memory

Evidence (2 points)

1 pt.

• Provides specific examples of evidence relevant to the topic of the prompt.

OR 2 pts.

• Supports an argument in response to the prompt using specific and relevant examples of evidence.

Analysis and Reasoning

1 pt.

• Uses historical reasoning (e.g. comparison, causation, CCOT) to frame or structure an argument that addresses the prompt.

OR 2 pts.

• 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.

Analysis and Reasoning

To earn the second point, the response must demonstrate a complex understanding. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, such as:

• Explaining nuance of an issue by analyzing multiple variables
• Explaining both similarity and difference, 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.

Conclusion

• RESTATE YOUR THESIS.
• (Significance) discuss the Implications of the historical event or issue on the future of the country.

Write a funnel paragraph for the following prompt:

Evaluate whether the Renaissance was more influenced by secularism or Christianity

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MARK UP THE PROMPT BY UNDERLINING:

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• the time period (if not listed, use HUB dates)
• the historical thinking skill
• mark the categories you need to write about

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