Introduction: Why the LEQ Matters
On the AP U.S. History exam, the Long Essay Question (LEQ) makes up 15% of your total score. Unlike the DBQ, you don’t get documents — just a prompt. That means the LEQ tests your ability to:
- Recall content knowledge.
- Organize an argument.
- Connect evidence to themes.
- Write clearly under time pressure.
If you’ve struggled with APUSH essays, don’t worry. With a formulaic approach and RevisionDojo’s LEQ practice banks, you can learn to consistently score well.
Step 1: Understand the LEQ Format
- You choose 1 out of 3 prompts.
- Prompts can be based on:
- Causation: Cause/effect relationships.
- Comparison: Similarities/differences.
- Continuity & Change over Time (CCOT): How something evolved.
- You get 40 minutes to write.
👉 That means you must plan quickly and write efficiently.
Step 2: The LEQ Rubric
To earn a high score, you need to hit all parts of the rubric:
- Thesis (1 point): Clear, defensible claim.
- Contextualization (1 point): Big-picture background.
- Evidence (2 points): Use specific, relevant historical examples.
- Analysis & Reasoning (2 points): Show cause/effect, comparison, or change/continuity.
- Complexity (1 point): Show nuance (counterargument, multiple perspectives, synthesis).
👉 Total possible = 6 points.
Step 3: The LEQ Writing Formula
Paragraph Structure: TACEC
- T = Thesis
- A = Argument (topic sentence)
- C = Contextualization/Evidence
- E = Explanation (why it matters)
- C = Complexity (counterargument/connection)
Step 4: Writing the Introduction
Your intro should include:
- Contextualization (3–4 sentences): Set the stage.
- Thesis (1–2 sentences): Directly answer the prompt with a clear argument.
Example Prompt: Evaluate the extent to which the New Deal reshaped the role of the federal government in the 1930s.
Strong Intro:
The Great Depression devastated the U.S. economy, leaving millions unemployed and questioning the effectiveness of laissez-faire capitalism. (Context) In response, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal significantly expanded the role of the federal government by introducing direct relief programs, increasing regulation of business, and creating long-term social safety nets. While critics argued these programs went too far, the New Deal ultimately transformed the relationship between citizens and the government. (Thesis)
Step 5: Body Paragraph Strategy
Each body paragraph should:
- Begin with a topic sentence that supports your thesis.
- Provide specific evidence (acts, events, leaders).
- Explain how the evidence supports your argument.
- Include complexity (counterpoint or nuance).
Example (Body Paragraph):
One way the New Deal reshaped the federal government was by expanding direct relief to citizens. (Topic Sentence) For example, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided jobs for millions of unemployed Americans. (Evidence) This marked a departure from the government’s limited role in previous economic crises, as Washington now took responsibility for providing economic relief. (Explanation) While some conservatives argued this relief created dependency, it nonetheless redefined the federal government as an active player in ensuring citizens’ welfare. (Complexity)
Step 6: Conclusion
Your conclusion should:
- Restate your thesis in different words.
- Provide a final connection (synthesis) to another era or issue.
Example:
The New Deal marked a turning point in the federal government’s role, expanding responsibilities that continue today in programs like Social Security and Medicare. In this way, it reshaped not only the 1930s but also the foundation of modern American politics.
Step 7: Common Types of LEQs
- Causation
- Example: Identify one cause of U.S. entry into WWI and one effect.
- Strategy: Organize into “causes” and “effects.”
- Comparison
- Example: Compare the New Deal and Great Society in addressing poverty.
- Strategy: Use a Venn Diagram in planning.
- Continuity & Change (CCOT)
- Example: Analyze changes and continuities in American foreign policy from 1890–1945.
- Strategy: Break essay into “what changed” vs “what stayed the same.”
👉 RevisionDojo’s LEQ Practice Bank is categorized by type for easy drills.
Step 8: Time Management
- 5 minutes: Read prompt, brainstorm, outline.
- 25 minutes: Write 2–3 body paragraphs.
- 10 minutes: Write intro + conclusion, revise quickly.
👉 Students who outline first always score higher than those who dive straight in.
Step 9: High-Scoring Example Breakdown
Prompt: Evaluate the extent to which Reconstruction (1865–1877) reshaped Southern society.
Thesis: Reconstruction reshaped Southern society by legally abolishing slavery and granting new political rights to African Americans, but its failure to enforce equality allowed white supremacy to remain dominant.
Evidence:
- 13th, 14th, 15th Amendments.
- Freedmen’s Bureau.
- Rise of Black political leaders.
- Resistance: KKK, Black Codes, Compromise of 1877.
Complexity: Recognize both progress (legal equality) and limitations (continued racial oppression).
👉 This approach would earn 5–6 points.
Step 10: Mistakes Students Make
- Too vague: “The New Deal helped people.”
- No thesis: Just listing facts without argument.
- Ignoring complexity: Not acknowledging multiple perspectives.
- Poor time management: Spending too long on intro.
👉 Fix these with RevisionDojo’s LEQ Rubric Tracker.
Step 11: RevisionDojo Resources
- LEQ Practice Bank: Organized by causation, comparison, CCOT.
- High-Scoring LEQ Samples: With grader commentary.
- Rubric Trackers: Self-score essays for improvement.
- Timed Writing Drills: Simulate exam pressure.
👉 Check out RevisionDojo’s APUSH LEQ Hub here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How long should an LEQ be?
A: About 4–5 paragraphs (intro, 2–3 body, conclusion). Quality > length.
Q: Do I need outside evidence in LEQs?
A: Yes — at least 2–3 specific, relevant historical examples.
Q: Can I skip the conclusion?
A: No — synthesis in the conclusion often earns the complexity point.
Q: Should I write in first person?
A: No — stay academic and objective.
Q: What’s the best way to practice?
A: Write 1 LEQ per week using RevisionDojo’s prompt bank, then self-score with rubric.
Final Thoughts
The LEQ can feel intimidating because it requires both knowledge and writing skills. But with practice, it becomes one of the most predictable parts of the APUSH exam.
Remember:
- Use TACEC structure (Thesis, Argument, Context, Evidence, Complexity).
- Always include contextualization + outside evidence.
- Balance both sides of the argument for complexity.
- Practice weekly with RevisionDojo’s LEQ banks and rubric trackers.
