What is a Long Essay Question (LEQ)?
LEQs are apart of the Second Section of the APUSH test. It is one question that you choose from three options on the same theme. You have 40 minutes to answer the question in essay format. The question can come from Periods 1-9. The LEQ portion is 15% of the exam score. The three question options all address the same theme and assess the same reasoning skill (contextualization, causation, comparison, continuity and change over time). To achieve a high score, students must develop an argument and support it with an analysis of specific and relevant historical evidence of their choosing. The questions ask about large-scale topics.
Strategies to Use:
1. Dissect the Question: When given an essay prompt, first take some of your time to slow down and understand exactly what the question is asking you to do. The key here is to understand how to answer all parts of the question. Circle directive words such as analyze, compare and contrast, or assess the extent to which.
2. Formulate a Thesis: The thesis is your way of telling the reader why he or she should care about reading your essay. If you have a weak thesis, the reader will not be convinced that you understand the question. Therefore, you must have a thesis that takes a stand, answers the entire question, and shows the reader the path you will take in your essay answer. It is not enough to merely restate the question as your thesis. One of the most important things to do is to take a position.
3. Plan your Evidence: Some students prefer to use a cluster strategy; that is, they place the main thoughts in bubbles and then scatter supporting evidence around the main bubbles. Other students prefer to list facts and evidence in a bulleted list. Some like to create an outline of relevant information. Whatever you prefer, this is a step you cannot skip! Students who do not take the time to plan their evidence often find themselves scratching out irrelevant information during the exam, thus wasting valuable time.
4. Write your Essay: When composing your essay, start with your most important information; if you run out of time when you’re writing, your key points are already in the essay. There is no “standard” number of paragraphs you must have. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is one body paragraph for each portion of the essay prompt.
5. Use the terminology: Whenever possible, use historical terms or phrases instead of general ones. For example, instead of saying that the South established laws against an owner freeing slaves, say that the South established laws against manumission. This shows the reader that you really know your stuff.
Videos:
LEQs are apart of the Second Section of the APUSH test. It is one question that you choose from three options on the same theme. You have 40 minutes to answer the question in essay format. The question can come from Periods 1-9. The LEQ portion is 15% of the exam score. The three question options all address the same theme and assess the same reasoning skill (contextualization, causation, comparison, continuity and change over time). To achieve a high score, students must develop an argument and support it with an analysis of specific and relevant historical evidence of their choosing. The questions ask about large-scale topics.
Strategies to Use:
1. Dissect the Question: When given an essay prompt, first take some of your time to slow down and understand exactly what the question is asking you to do. The key here is to understand how to answer all parts of the question. Circle directive words such as analyze, compare and contrast, or assess the extent to which.
2. Formulate a Thesis: The thesis is your way of telling the reader why he or she should care about reading your essay. If you have a weak thesis, the reader will not be convinced that you understand the question. Therefore, you must have a thesis that takes a stand, answers the entire question, and shows the reader the path you will take in your essay answer. It is not enough to merely restate the question as your thesis. One of the most important things to do is to take a position.
3. Plan your Evidence: Some students prefer to use a cluster strategy; that is, they place the main thoughts in bubbles and then scatter supporting evidence around the main bubbles. Other students prefer to list facts and evidence in a bulleted list. Some like to create an outline of relevant information. Whatever you prefer, this is a step you cannot skip! Students who do not take the time to plan their evidence often find themselves scratching out irrelevant information during the exam, thus wasting valuable time.
4. Write your Essay: When composing your essay, start with your most important information; if you run out of time when you’re writing, your key points are already in the essay. There is no “standard” number of paragraphs you must have. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is one body paragraph for each portion of the essay prompt.
5. Use the terminology: Whenever possible, use historical terms or phrases instead of general ones. For example, instead of saying that the South established laws against an owner freeing slaves, say that the South established laws against manumission. This shows the reader that you really know your stuff.
Videos:
|
|
Rubric:
apush_leq_explanation.pptx | |
File Size: | 90 kb |
File Type: | pptx |