The Lone Wolf Style of Essay Writing (Seven Steps to success on the APUSH LEQ) additional thanks to Ms. Jordan and Messrs. Irish and Henderson

The Lone Wolf Style of Essay Writing

(Seven Steps to success on the APUSH LEQ)additional thanks to Ms. Jordan and Messrs. Irish and Henderson

Step One: Read and analyze the question•What is the question asking?•What is the question asking you to do? (Know key words of

the prompt)

Analyze• How true is the statement? Pay attention to positive, negative, and disputable

aspects, citing the judgment of known authorities and your own.• You must take a stance here—how true is the statement and why?

ExampleAnalyze the contributions of TWO of the following in helping establish a stable government after the adoption of the Constitution. • John Adams • Thomas Jefferson • George Washington

“Analyze the major technological changes that took place in America from 1870 to 1900 and describe what significant social ramifications they had.”

Assess the validity • Explain how AND why something occurred by examining the component

parts (social, political, economic) and their relationship with one another.• Any question that uses “how” and/or “why” is an analysis question even if

the word “analyze” is not in the prompt.

Examples“Assess the validity of the following statement: ‘Thomas Jefferson’s political philosophy can best be described as revolutionary.’”

The Era of Good Feeling (1816-1824) marked the appearance of issues that transformed American politics in the next 20 years. Assess the validity of this generalization.

Evaluate• Which factor was most important? You usually need to rank several events or factors and specify

which is most and which is least significant.

ExamplesEvaluate the relative importance of the following as factors prompting Americans to rebel in 1776: • Parliamentary taxation• Restriction of civil liberties • British military measures • The legacy of colonial religious and political ideas

Evaluate the relative importance of domestic and foreign affairs in shaping American politics in the 1790's.

Evaluate the extent to which the Articles of Confederation were effective in solving the problems that confronted the new nation.

To what extent• This prompt frequently requires you to specify a cause and effect relationship and

then state which causes were more important. Or, indicate the criteria on which you base your judgment and cite specific instance of how it applies in this case.

ExamplesEvaluate the extent to which the Articles of Confederation were effective in solving the problems that confronted the new nation.

The Jacksonian Period (1824-1848) has been celebrated as the era of the "common man." To what extent did the period live up to its characterization? Consider TWO of the following in your response. • Economic development • Politics • Reform movements

Discuss or Consider• These are frequently used in free response prompts. They should be

written as analysis essays. Examine key points and possible interpretations, giving reasons for and against the case. Draw a final conclusion.

ExamplesDiscuss the impact of territorial expansion on national unity between 1800 and 1850.

Discuss the political, economic, and social reforms introduced in the South between 1864 and 1877. To what extent did these reforms survive the Compromise of 1877?

Compare/Contrast• Identify the characteristics or qualities of two or more things, comparing

what they have in common (compare) and differences (contrast).

Examples“Compare the religious revival of the First Great Awakening to that of the Second.”

“Contrast the Federalist and Antifederalist arguments for or against the ratification of the new Federal Constitution.”

Explain• Tell how things work or how they came to be, including descriptions or analysis. This

must have DETAIL to give it meaning.

Examples• “Explain how economic, political, and religious factors promoted European

explorations from 1450 to 1525.”

• Explain how TWO of the following individuals responded to the economic and social problems created by industrialization during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. • Jane Addams • Andrew Carnegie • Samuel Gompers • Upton Sinclair

Step Two: Collect and sort information• Brainstorm• Categorize• Generalizing (creating categories)

Specific Factual Information (SFI)

• SFI. Specific Factual Information. • Those bits of history knowledge that have substance – not the

fluffybunnyvagaries that most of you think should be contained in essays. Think of it as word association in an historical context.

SFI

Example: John C. Calhoun = SFIthat Southerner who hated the union = not SFI

Example: South Carolina Nullification Crisis = SFIthose times states tried to fight the president = not SFI

You get the point. Being able to recall SFI is an invaluable part of AP US History, and your task today is to do some SFI brainstorm for things you may know well.

Exercise: For each of the following words or phrases, list at least 5 words, names, concepts, or ideas that spring to mind.

1. Drake, Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, or Juanes, etc…2. Peanut butter3. The American System4. Barack Obama5. The First Amendment

Step Three: Create your thesis statement• An effective thesis statement will have all of these

components• Fully addresses the question (prompt) asked• Takes a position with regard to the question asked• Provides organizational categories that will be used in the

essay

WRITING AN EXCELLENT THESIS STATEMENT• Takes practice• You are asked to take a stand on an issue AND provide

enough factual information in the context of your essay that proves your thesis• Your reader will spend 2 minutes reading your essay so get to

the point clearly, concisely, and with focus.

What is a thesis statement?

• An argument or stand that you take on a particular topic.• It should not resemble a textbook sentence, but rather explain your

point of view and why it matters.

The thesis formula: X. However, A, B, and C. Therefore, Y.

• X = the strongest point against your argument (this could be part of your intro or context and not your thesis)

OR• X = the strongest point of your argument that you will then clarify

with A, B, and C to prove Y.• A, B, C = the three strongest points of your argument that you will

explain in your essay• Y = the position you will be taking throughout the essay (this could

be the effect of X)

Let’s try this together

Sample prompt: Assess the validity of the following statement: “Teaching is the most important profession in the world and everyone should consider it as a possible career choice.”

What do you think are some of the “Pros” to teaching?

Pros (specific points of evidence)

• Often emotionally satisfying• Make a difference in the world• Summer, Winter, and Spring Break Vacations• Work during the summer for more pay• There’s usually job positions available (always hiring)• Most kids are pretty cool to be around

What do you think are some of the “Cons” to teaching?

Cons (specific points of evidence)• Usually physically/mentally/emotionally demanding• Large class sizes• Low pay and long work hours• Have to do additional work; coach, sponsor…with little additional pay• Need to work during the summer for more pay• Not much respect from society• Requires certification and constant development• Helicopter parents• Money out of pocket for supplies, resources, etc…• Being evaluated at random and the possible scores are 4% get an A, 90% get a C, and 6% get Fs.• The fact that thousands of dollars of your pay is based on the above system.• Tenure is a thing of the past• You think you’re more interesting than twitter?• Paperwork• Parent. Teacher. Conferences.• Kids who don’t come to school still count against your scores• Kids who don’t take personal responsibility for the education/grades• Kids who work harder to cheat than to learn• Kids who cheat all year long and then blame you when they don’t pass the exam.

Sample thesis statement:

Teaching can often be an exhausting profession. However, teachers consistently receive the emotional reward of student success, enjoy frequent meaningful vacations with family and friends, and can look at themselves in the mirror and say that they make the world a better place. Therefore, teaching is one of the world’s most important professions and would be a wise career choice.

JK

• If you ever have overwhelming evidence for one argument over the other, go for the argument that you can better support!

versus

• It doesn’t matter what your personal feelings are on the matter.• Your job is to quickly, concisely, and accurately answer the question in

the way that will return the highest score possible.

What should you be doing?

• The main focus of a thesis statement is to address the prompt with a strong and clearly relevant argumentative statement. A simple formula can help students write a complex thesis if they can recall these four interrelated steps:• Determine the stem of the prompt—what is the topic of the prompt?• Determine the time frame of the question• Determine the operational functions the student needs to perform in the

essay (DBQ) OR determine the stance the student will take on in the essay (LEQ)• Determine what historical thinking skill(s) must be used to answer the

question

Here’s a sample LEQ prompt from the 2014 Practice APUSH Exam:Some historians have argued that the American Revolution was not revolutionary in nature. Support, modify, or refute this interpretation, providing specific evidence to justify your answer.1.What is the topic of the prompt?

Relevant info: 2. What is the time frame?

Relevant info: 3. What is the operational function (VERB)?

Relevant info: 4. What is (are) the historical skill(s) needed?

Relevant info:

Here’s a sample LEQ prompt from the 2014 Practice APUSH Exam:Some historians have argued that the American Revolution was not revolutionary in nature. Support, modify, or refute this interpretation, providing specific evidence to justify your answer.1.What is the topic of the prompt?The American Revolution and questioning its revolutionary nature.Relevant info: 2. What is the time frame?



Relevant info:

Here’s a sample LEQ prompt from the 2014 Practice APUSH Exam:Some historians have argued that the American Revolution was not revolutionary in nature. Support, modify, or refute this interpretation, providing specific evidence to justify your answer.1.What is the topic of the prompt?The American Revolution and questioning its revolutionary nature.Relevant info: Why they revolted; what changed as a result; who was involved in the change2. What is the time frame?



Relevant info:

Here’s a sample LEQ prompt from the 2014 Practice APUSH Exam:Some historians have argued that the American Revolution was not revolutionary in nature. Support, modify, or refute this interpretation, providing specific evidence to justify your answer.1.What is the topic of the prompt?The American Revolution and questioning its revolutionary nature.Relevant info: Why they revolted; what changed as a result; who was involved in the change2. What is the time frame?1770s-1780sRelevant info: 3. What is the operational function (VERB)?


Relevant info:

Here’s a sample LEQ prompt from the 2014 Practice APUSH Exam:Some historians have argued that the American Revolution was not revolutionary in nature. Support, modify, or refute this interpretation, providing specific evidence to justify your answer.1.What is the topic of the prompt?The American Revolution and questioning its revolutionary nature.Relevant info: Why they revolted; what changed as a result; who was involved in the change2. What is the time frame?1770s-1780sRelevant info: Proclamation of 1763, Declaratory Act, Intolerable Acts3. What is the operational function (VERB)?


Relevant info:

Here’s a sample LEQ prompt from the 2014 Practice APUSH Exam:Some historians have argued that the American Revolution was not revolutionary in nature. Support, modify, or refute this interpretation, providing specific evidence to justify your answer.1.What is the topic of the prompt?The American Revolution and questioning its revolutionary nature.Relevant info: Why they revolted; what changed as a result; who was involved in the change2. What is the time frame?1770s-1780sRelevant info: Proclamation of 1763, Declaratory Act, Intolerable Acts3. What is the operational function (VERB)?Support, modify, or refute. Also justifyRelevant info: 4. What is (are) the historical skill(s) needed?

Relevant info:

Here’s a sample LEQ prompt from the 2014 Practice APUSH Exam:Some historians have argued that the American Revolution was not revolutionary in nature. Support, modify, or refute this interpretation, providing specific evidence to justify your answer.1.What is the topic of the prompt?The American Revolution and questioning its revolutionary nature.Relevant info: Why they revolted; what changed as a result; who was involved in the change2. What is the time frame?1770s-1780sRelevant info: Proclamation of 1763, Declaratory Act, Intolerable Acts3. What is the operational function (VERB)?Support, modify, or refute. Also justifyRelevant info: Why was/ was but wasn’t/ wasn’t it revolutionary in nature?4. What is (are) the historical skill(s) needed?

Relevant info:

Here’s a sample LEQ prompt from the 2014 Practice APUSH Exam:Some historians have argued that the American Revolution was not revolutionary in nature. Support, modify, or refute this interpretation, providing specific evidence to justify your answer.1.What is the topic of the prompt?The American Revolution and questioning its revolutionary nature.Relevant info: Why they revolted; what changed as a result; who was involved in the change2. What is the time frame?1770s-1780sRelevant info: Proclamation of 1763, Declaratory Act, Intolerable Acts3. What is the operational function (VERB)?Support, modify, or refute. Also justifyRelevant info: Why was/ was but wasn’t/ wasn’t it revolutionary in nature?4. What is (are) the historical skill(s) needed?Historical argumentationRelevant info:

Here’s a sample LEQ prompt from the 2014 Practice APUSH Exam:Some historians have argued that the American Revolution was not revolutionary in nature. Support, modify, or refute this interpretation, providing specific evidence to justify your answer.1.What is the topic of the prompt?The American Revolution and questioning its revolutionary nature.Relevant info: Why they revolted; what changed as a result; who was involved in the change2. What is the time frame?1770s-1780sRelevant info: Proclamation of 1763, Declaratory Act, Intolerable Acts3. What is the operational function (VERB)?Support, modify, or refute. Also justifyRelevant info: Why was/ was but wasn’t/ wasn’t it revolutionary in nature?4. What is (are) the historical skill(s) needed?Historical argumentationRelevant info: Determine revolutionary nature. It was, was but wasn’t, or wasn’t revolutionary

Potential Theses

• Potential thesis topic/support: American Revolution did not foster revolutionary change, but instead maintained continuity.• Potential thesis topic/modification: Emphasis on vague nature of the

evidence—present proof that the Revolution had ambiguous outcomes for different groups.• Potential thesis topic/refutation: Revolution was revolutionary, based

on significant changes in governmental structure, abolishing “aristocratic practices” such as primogeniture, and spread of democratic culture.

Addressing and Understanding the Prompt• Your writing will be prompted by an essay question. • Students often do worse than they should in examinations not

because their writing skills are weak or because their knowledge of the subject matter is insufficient, but because they have not fully understood what they have been asked to do. • To score high marks in an examination, it is important to fully

understand what a question means and how it should be answered.

Key Words

Key words tell you the approach you should take when answering an essay question. There are three types of key words:• Task words: Tell you what you have to do; the action you need to

perform• Content words: Tell you what the topic area is and what you should

write about• Limiting words: Limit and focus the essay, making it workable

Lets look at key words

Example essay question: Computers have had a significant impact on education in the 20th century. Discuss the changes they have made.

• Task word: • Content words: • Limiting words:



• Task word: DISCUSS• Content words: • Limiting words:



• Task word: DISCUSS• Content words: education, computers• Limiting words:



• Task word: DISCUSS• Content words: education, computers• Limiting words: changes, significant impact, 20th century

Implied or complex questions

• Some assignment questions are more complex. • They might have a number of parts or may not include a clear task word, which can

make them appear confusing. • Some tasks are implied rather than explicitly stated. • In order to understand what you must do, you need to work out your task by looking

at the entire question. • Look for clues in the limiting and content words and in the relationships between

words, phrases, and parts of the question.

• Other questions may include guidelines as to the scope of the essay, specifying a time period, location, or framework for discussion. • Finally, you may have a number of related questions which may have a number of

task words or specific questions. • Be sure to answer each part of these questions or you will not earn full credit.

Examples of implied or complex questions• “Discuss the changing ideals of American womanhood between the American

Revolution (1770s) and the outbreak of the Civil War.”

• “Analyze the causes of growing opposition to slavery in the United States from 1776 to

1852. In your response, consider both underlying forces and specific events that contributed to the growing opposition.”

• “Analyze the ways in which the Vietnam War heightened social, political, and

economic tensions in the United States. Focus your answer on the period 1964 to 1975.”

Step Four: The INTRODUCTION should:• Provide interesting material and background information on the topic• First Sentence: Tie your essay to the previous historical time period• Explain event(s) to show your understanding of chronology

• Establish a setting (time and place)• Set the purpose and tone of the essay• YOU MUST Present a thesis statement which completely answers the

question!• Give the reader an overall map of body paragraph themes.• Topic sentences from thesis categories

Step Five a: Body Paragraph 1 around a single theme• Each body paragraph should develop a single theme (category) of your

essay by providing string supporting information and analysis.• Answer the why questions!• Start paragraph with a topic sentence• Explains main idea of paragraph• Supports thesis

• Supporting information (lots of (at least 3) SFI)• Interpret/analyze/comment

• Synthesize your argument and evidence• End each body paragraph with a concluding sentence.

• Each body paragraph should develop a single theme (category) of your essay by providing string supporting information and analysis.• Answer the why questions!• Start paragraph with a topic sentence• Explains main idea of paragraph• Supports thesis



Step Five b: Body Paragraph 2 around a single theme

• Each body paragraph should develop a single theme (category) of your essay by providing string supporting information and analysis.• Answer the why questions!• Start paragraph with a topic sentence

• Explains main idea of paragraph• Supports thesis



• PLEASE NOTE: There is nothing magical about a 5 paragraph essay. Include more body paragraphs if needed. Also better essays take into account opposing viewpoints to show the complexity of the question

Step Five c: Body Paragraph 3 around a single theme

Sentence Structure

Use sentences that include…• ALTHOUGH• HOWEVER and• BECAUSE!

Step 6: Conclusion• Restate and REINFORCE the thesis• Summary of final remarks• The conclusion of the essay should bring the essay to a satisfactory close

and remind the reader of the main points• Address the question SO What? (assigns importance)

• Tie to the next historical time period• Synthesis clincher sentences• Exit sentence – explains what the topics leads into next (puts essay into historical

perspective)

• NEVER end an essay on the idea of…”and that is what makes America great today!”

Documents

The Lone Wolf Style of Essay Writing (Seven Steps to success on the APUSH LEQ) additional thanks to Ms. Jordan and Messrs. Irish and Henderson