1. How to write the Long essay question
AP European History
Mrs. Dillon

2. The Long Essay Question
The LEQ is an essay that must be written in 35 minutes.
You will choose ONE from two options on the exam.
It is scored with a rubric of 6 points possible.
There are four different types of LEQ’s, based on Historical Thinking Skills:
Causation
Comparison
Periodization
Continuity and Change Over Time
You will not know ahead of time which Historical Thinking Skill (HTS) you will be tasked with until the exam.
There are different rubric requirements for each HST type of essay.

4. Tips for Writing Essays in History (AP class or not)
Always think of your reader. Be clear, specific, and EXPLAIN.
Avoid vague language.
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…
Do not try to be “cute”
Use STANDARD ACADEMIC ENGLISH!
Use correct historical terms
i.e. “normalcy” is not a standard English word, but it is a historical term
Facts are names, dates, people, events, places, things

5. The Structure of the Essay
Your whole essay should be between 3 to 5 paragraphs
Introduction Paragraph
Body Paragraphs: 2-3
(Optional)Conclusion Paragraph

6. Thesis Statement/Argument: 1 POINT
The introduction paragraph is a good place to include historical context.
What time period are you writing about? What major events are taking place around this particular topic in your essay? BE SPECIFIC.
Was there something that led up the events in the essay?
Must include your THESIS STATEMENT. (1 POINT)
Your thesis must be CLEAR and DIRECTLY ANSWER ALL PARTS OF THE QUESTION.
Cannot just re-state the question.
Must make a HISTORICALLY DEFENSIBLE CLAIM and consist of one or more sentences located in one place. Your thesis can also be in the conclusion, but it is recommended to write it in the introductory paragraph.
A CLAIM is your point of view, or argument, about a given topic.
To be HISTORICALLY DEFENSIBLE means it must be BASED ON FACTS.
To strengthen your thesis, include at least 2 to 3 facts (EVIDENCE) in your thesis.

7. The Body Paragraphs: Evidence and Support for Thesis: 2 POINTS
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.

8. Historical Thinking Skills: 2 POINTS
There are four different types of essays. You will only write one on the AP exam.
Causation
Comparison
Periodization
Continuity and Change Over Time
Refer to the Historical Thinking Skills Chart handed out in class.

9. HST: Causation
DESCRIBES causes AND/OR effects of a historical development, event, or process (1 POINT)
Example: The Protestant Reformation
Describe CAUSES- What was the Renaissance? What was the printing press? When and where was it invented? What were indulgences? Who was Martin Luther?
Describe EFFECTS- What was the Peace of Augsberg? Who were the Calvinists? What was the Anglican Church? What were the religious wars, and where were they fought? Who fought them?
ANALYZES specific examples that illustrate causes and/or effects of a historical event, development, or process (1 POINT)
Explains the reasons for the causes/effects
Analyze CAUSES- How did the Renaissance inspire new religious ideas? How did the printing press help to spread new ideas? Why were indulgences problematic for many Europeans and clergy? How did Martin Luther influence the movement? What inspired him?
Analyze EFFECTS- What brought about the Peace of Augsberg, and how did it affect Europe? What conflicts brought about the development of Calvinism and Anglicanism? How did the division of Christendom bring about political conflict and wars in Europe?

10. HST: Comparison
Describes similarities AND differences among historical individuals, events, developments, or processes (1 POINT)
Describes specific examples, and… (1POINT)
Analyzes (explains) the reasons for their similarities and differences
OR (depending on the prompt)
Evaluates the relative significance of the historical developments.
i.e., discuss strengths and weaknesses of each event/process/event, or give your opinion (in 3rd person) of how significant or important each was.

11. HST: Periodization
DESCRIBE the ways in which the historical development specified in the prompt was different from OR similar to developments that preceded and/or followed. (1 POINT)
ANALYZE (explain) the extent to which the historical development specified in the prompt was different from AND similar to developments that preceded and/or followed, providing SPECIFIC EXAMPLES to illustrate the analysis. (1 POINT)
Note: Historical events and processes can be organized into specific blocks of time. AP Euro organizes the content into 4 periods:
Period 1: 1450 to 1648 (Renaissance, Columbus, Reformation, Religious Wars, ending with the Treaty of Westphalia)
Period 2: 1648 to 1815 (Scientific Revolution, early Industrialism, Trade Wars and Colonial Empires, The Enlightenment, French Revolution, and Age of Napoleon, ending with the Congress of Vienna)
Period 3: 1815 to 1914 Rise of Nationalism New Industrialism, New Imperialism and Expansion, Age of Revolutions, ending just before WWI begins)
Period 4: 1914 to the present (WWI, rise of totalitarian dictatorships, Soviet Union, WWII, The Cold War, Decolonization, End of the Cold War, modern day Europe)

12. HST: Continuity and Change Over Time (CCOT)
DESCRIBES continuity AND change over time (1 POINT)
CONTINUITY: How much did “things” (society, politics, economics, religious life, art, etc) remain mostly the same or consistent?
CHANGE OVER TIME: How much did things change over a specified amount of time?
ANALYZES using specific examples that explain the reasons for the continuity AND change over time (1 POINT)
CONTINUITY: Why and how did society, politics, economics, religious life, art, etc remain largely the same over a specified amount of time? Use specific examples.
CHANGE OVER TIME: Why and how did society, politics, economics, religious life, art, etc change so much over a specified amount of time? Give examples.

13. SYNTHESIS (1 POINT) For any of the following:
Extends the argument by explaining the connections between the argument (thesis) and ONE of the following:
A development in a different historical period, situation, era, or geographical area.
A course theme and/or approach that is not the focus of the essay (think GPERSIA: geographical, political, economic, religious, social, intellectual, artistic, cultural, race/ethnicity, or gender)
A different discipline or field of inquiry (such as economics, government and politics, art history, science, environmental studies, biology, criminal justice, etc)