The Long Essay Question (LEQ) is your chance to shine as a historian! Unlike the DBQ, there are no documents provided; you must rely entirely on your own awesome historical knowledge. The LEQ tests your ability to develop a strong argument and support it with a mountain of specific evidence, all while showing off your understanding of historical thinking skills like causation, comparison, or continuity and change.

What's an LEQ?

You'll be given a choice of three prompts, each focusing on a different historical thinking skill and time period. You pick one. The LEQ asks you to:

1. Develop a Thesis: Present a clear, argumentative thesis statement that directly answers the prompt.
2. Provide Contextualization: Set the broader historical scene for your argument.
3. Support with Specific Evidence: Use specific historical facts, events, people, and concepts to prove your points. This is where your deep knowledge pays off!
4. Demonstrate Historical Reasoning: Clearly show how your argument involves causation, comparison, or continuity and change over time.
5. Use Complex Analysis (for the big points!): Go beyond simple description to offer nuance, acknowledge complexities, and potentially analyze alternative perspectives or historical counterarguments.

Your LEQ Master Plan

You'll have about 40 minutes for this essay, so structure is key!

1. Choose Your Prompt Wisely (2-3 minutes):

   • Read all three prompts carefully.
   • Which one do you know the most about? Which one can you argue most effectively with specific evidence? Which historical thinking skill do you feel most comfortable with for that topic?

2. Brainstorm & Outline (7-8 minutes):

   • Contextualization: What's the broader historical picture before, during, or just after the period in the prompt? Jot down 2-3 sentences.
   • Thesis: Formulate a strong, argumentative thesis that directly answers the prompt. It's your central argument. Make sure it's arguable and takes a stance!
   • Body Paragraphs:
     • Identify 2-3 main arguments or categories that support your thesis. These will be your body paragraphs.
     • For each paragraph, brainstorm at least 3-5 specific pieces of evidence (people, events, laws, ideas, dates, movements) that you will use. This is crucial for getting the evidence point!
   • Conclusion: Briefly note how you'll wrap it up.

3. Write the Essay (30 minutes):

   • I. Introduction:

     • Contextualization: Start with 2-3 sentences providing the broader historical background. Don't just define terms from the prompt, but set the stage. Think big picture!
     • Thesis Statement: The last sentence(s) of your intro. This is your clear, arguable answer to the prompt.

   • II. Body Paragraph 1 (and 2, 3, etc.):

     • Topic Sentence: Clearly state the main point of this paragraph, linking it directly to your thesis.
     • Evidence: This is where you unload your specific, relevant historical facts. Provide plenty of specific details!
     • Analysis: Explain how your evidence supports your topic sentence and thesis. Don't just list facts; explain their significance. This is where you demonstrate the historical thinking skill (causation, comparison, CCOT).
     • Connect back: Briefly reiterate how this paragraph's point reinforces your overall argument.

   • III. Conclusion:

     • Restate Thesis: Rephrase your thesis in new words.
     • Summarize Arguments: Briefly touch upon the main points from your body paragraphs.
     • Broader Significance: What's the larger impact? How does this historical period connect to what came next or even to the present?

The LEQ is a marathon, not a sprint. Practice outlining and writing these essays to build your confidence and speed. The more specific evidence you can recall and effectively use, the better!