LEQs – (Long Essay Questions) – Unit IV
You are to create an essay outline for each of the following question/prompts that are possible LEQ
questions for the First Semester Final. You have already completed THREE of the prompts/questions for
Unit IV, so you have only SIX new questions/prompts to outline. You are encouraged to work with a
partner or in groups, but make sure you include in each of the outlines the following:





Developed thesis paragraph AND a clear argument, i.e., historically defensible claim, that identifies
what will be addressed in the body paragraphs. Again…you must state an ARGUMENT and should
make the argument the LAST sentence in the thesis paragraph.
Clear topic sentences for each body paragraph.
o The topic sentences should relate directly to the thesis and argument AND indicate to the reader
the topic of each body paragraph.
o The topic sentence, like the thesis, is a “promise” to the reader that you will “prove” your
assertions.
o For each topic sentence include 2-to-3 bulleted points - in complete sentences - that support the
topic sentence. This is your EVIDENCE.
o Keep in mind, each question/prompt will determine the number of body paragraphs necessary for
a thorough response. Some essays may need only two body paragraphs, while others may
require three.
Provide ANALYSIS (one sentence) for each piece of evidence. Example: “One reason for the decline
of witchcraft persecutions can be attributed to new advances in science”. (This is your EVIDENCE).
ANALYSIS must follow. Example: With the advances in science, people increasingly applied reason
to form rational explanations for natural phenomenon such as floods and crop failures, which deterred
people from accusing people of witchcraft. Try using these transition words to create analysis:
“because of this…”, “as a result…”, “this was an attempt to…”, “the aftermath…”, “this led to…”, etc.
Synthesis: Using a minimum of 4-5 sentences, provide an additional category of analysis, i.e., political,
economic, social, or cultural that is beyond what is called for in the prompt. Or, connect the topic of the
question to other historical periods, eras, situations or circumstances. Make sure you understand the
connection you make in order to provide proper ANALYSIS, as a one-sentence synthesis will not count.
Warning!!! Only handwritten outlines will be accepted for credit.
Possible Essay Questions/Prompts for Unit V – First Semester Final
1. Discuss and analyze how the changes in Russia during Peter the Great’s reign affected society and
transformed political and religious institutions. (Unit IV)
2. Account for the reasons why the western peasantry realized societal and economic changes in the 18th c.
while the eastern peasantry saw little change in their social and economic status.
3. Discuss the rise of Prussia during the Hohenzollern rule and how it changed their position in European
affairs.
4. Assess the extent to which women participated in and benefited from the shifting values of European
society from the 15th to the end of the Napoleonic Era.
5. “Napoleon I is sometimes called the greatest enlightened despot.” Evaluate this assessment in terms of
Napoleon I’s policies and accomplishments. Be sure to include a definition of enlightened despotism in y
our answer.
6. How and to what extent did Enlightenment ideas about religion and society shape the policies of the
French Revolution in the period 1789 to 1799?
7. Analyze to the extent to which Frederick the Great of Prussia and Joseph II of Austria advanced and did
not advance the Enlightenment ideals of their reigns.
8. How did the social and political conditions in the 18th Western Europe prior to 1788 influence the ideas of
the Enlightenment.
9. Machiavelli suggested that every ruler should behave “like a lion” and “like a fox”. Analyze the policies
of two of the following rulers, indicating the degree to which they successfully followed Machiavelli’s
suggestion.
**Elizabeth I of England, Henry IV of France, Catherine the Great of
Russia, Frederick II of Prussia**