AP USH Long Essay Question (LEQ) Rubric Guide
AP USH Long Essay Question Rubric Overview
The ap ush long essay question rubric is a 6-point scoring guide used by College Board readers to evaluate the final essay on the AP United States History exam. Students must demonstrate historical thinking skills by providing a clear thesis, situating the topic in a broader context, using specific historical evidence, and developing a complex argument.
LEQ Scoring Breakdown
| Category | Points | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Thesis/Claim | 1 | Responds to the prompt with a historically defensible claim that establishes a main line of reasoning. |
| Contextualization | 1 | Describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt (events before, during, or after). |
| Evidence | 2 | Provides at least two specific examples of evidence (1 pt) and uses them to support an argument (1 pt). |
| Analysis & Reasoning | 2 | Uses historical reasoning like Comparison or Causation (1 pt) and demonstrates a complex understanding (1 pt). |
Detailed Point Requirements
To earn full marks, your essay must meet specific criteria for each rubric section:
- Thesis: Must be in the introduction or conclusion. It cannot simply restate the prompt; it must take a position.
- Contextualization: This should be 3-5 sentences in your introduction. It must relate the prompt to broader regional, national, or global processes.
- Evidence: You must go beyond mentioning facts. You must explain how the specific piece of evidence proves your thesis.
- Historical Reasoning: You must structure your essay around a specific skill: Causation (cause/effect), Comparison (similarities/differences), or Continuity and Change Over Time (CCOT).
Earning the Complexity Point
The 6th point, often called the complexity point, is awarded for demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the historical process. You can achieve this by:
- Explaining both similarities and differences.
- Explaining both causes and effects.
- Explaining both continuity and change.
- Explaining relevant and insightful connections across different time periods or geographical areas.
- Qualifying or modifying an argument by considering diverse views or evidence.
Recommended LEQ Structure
1. **Introduction** - Contextualization (3-5 sentences) - Thesis Statement (Last sentence of paragraph) 2. **Body Paragraph 1** - Topic sentence aligned with thesis - Specific evidence piece #1 - Analysis (How evidence supports the claim) 3. **Body Paragraph 2** - Topic sentence aligned with thesis - Specific evidence piece #2 - Analysis (How evidence supports the claim) 4. **Conclusion** - Restatement of thesis in different words - Final synthesis or complexity attempt
Expert Tip for Success
Always use the 'Because' test for your thesis. A strong thesis should follow the format: '[Claim] because [Reason A] and [Reason B].' This ensures you have a line of reasoning that satisfies the first point of the rubric immediately.
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