Difference between DBQ and LEQ essay
What is the difference between a DBQ and an LEQ?
The main difference is the source of evidence. A Document Based Question (DBQ) requires you to build an argument using seven provided historical documents. A Long Essay Question (LEQ) requires you to develop an argument using only your own historical knowledge, though you often have a choice between several prompts.
DBQ vs. LEQ comparison
| Feature | Document Based Question (DBQ) | Long Essay Question (LEQ) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Evidence | Seven provided documents | Personal historical knowledge |
| Outside Evidence | One specific piece required | Multiple specific pieces required |
| Prompt Choice | None (one mandatory prompt) | Choice of three prompts from different eras |
| Time Allotted | 60 minutes (including 15m reading) | 40 minutes |
| Goal | Synthesize sources into an argument | Support a claim with recalled facts |
| Sourcing | Must explain POV/Context for 3 sources | Not applicable |
What is a DBQ essay?
The DBQ is a specialized essay format used in AP History exams (APUSH, AP World, and AP Euro). It tests your ability to act as a historian by analyzing primary and secondary sources. You must incorporate at least six of the seven provided documents into your argument. Beyond just quoting them, you must explain the historical situation, audience, purpose, or point of view for at least three documents. You are also required to bring in one piece of outside evidence that is not found in the documents.
What is an LEQ essay?
The LEQ is a traditional argumentative essay that relies entirely on what you have learned in class. Unlike the DBQ, you are given no documents to work with. You must select one prompt from three options, which typically cover different time periods of the course. To succeed, you must provide multiple specific examples of historical evidence and explain how they support your thesis. The LEQ rewards your ability to recall facts and connect them to broader historical themes like causation, comparison, or continuity and change.
Example prompts: DBQ vs. LEQ
To see the difference in practice, look at how these two essay types approach the same historical period. **DBQ Prompt Example:** Evaluate the relative importance of different causes for the expanding role of the United States in the world between 1865 and 1910. (Accompanied by 7 documents: maps, political cartoons, and speeches). *Annotation: The student must use the provided documents to identify those causes.* **LEQ Prompt Example:** Evaluate the extent to which the Civil War fostered change in the United States economy in the period from 1861 to 1900. *Annotation: The student must recall specific acts, like the Pacific Railway Act or Homestead Act, from memory to prove their point.*
Tips for managing both essay types
Focus on the thesis statement first for both essays. A strong thesis provides a roadmap for your evidence regardless of whether that evidence comes from a document or your memory. For the DBQ, use the 15-minute reading period to group documents by theme. For the LEQ, spend the first 5 minutes brainstorming a list of every person, event, or law you remember related to the prompt before you start writing.
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