Writing an LEQ

Tips

• If it asks, “evaluate the extent to which x affected y“ you can say “x greatly increased/decreased y“ in your thesis

• cannot just say affected, say in what way/direction like increased or decreased, or x affected y to a great extent

Rubric and info

• Last part of the exam

• 40 mins

• 6 max points

• 3 options (table above) - choose 1 you know the most about

• Step 1: Read the prompt

  • Mark it up

    • Write down the time period to make sure you don’t go outside of the time period and lose points

      • Ex: if you see 20th century, write down 1900

    • Write down the historical thinking skill they want you to write with (will frame your entire essay)

      • Ex: comparison, causation

    • Write down the category they want you to write about

      • Ex: if it says to compare economic developments in different parts of Europe, don’t write about political developments!!!

• Step 2: understand the rubric

  • Thesis (1 pt)

    • Take a stance! Choose an argument

    • Establish a “line of reasoning”

      • State your pieces of evidence

    • Formula:

      • [Restate important parts of prompt] because A&B (evidence)

  • Contextualization (1 pt)

    • Put the argument in your thesis in the broader historical context (talk abt what happened BEFORE ~50-100 years)

    • 1 paragraph (3-4 sentences)

    • Use specific and relevant evidence

  • Evidence (2 pts)

    • 
      

      

    • Describing evidence

      • name it and define it

    • SUPPORT argument with evidence

      1. Write topic sentence (one of your sub arguments, “steal from your thesis“)

      2. Tie evidence back to your thesis

  • Analysis and reasoning (2 pts)

    • 1 pt: addresses the prompt

    • 2 pt: complexity

      • Easiest way to earn this point is to have 4 pieces of evidence (2 pieces support, 2 pieces against, but you must still explain how your supporting pieces are better evidence)