LEQ (Long Essay Question) Outline Guide
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For each unit-of-study you will receive a list of possible LEQs – one of which will be randomly chosen by the teacher for the LEQ exam.
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You are encouraged to work with a partner or in groups to complete the outlines.
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ALL outlines must be handwritten. Use a single sheet of paper for each outline.
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All outlines are DUE on the day of LEQ exam.
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All outlines must include the following components AND are to be constructed in the order provided below:
Read the question carefully and underline what the question/prompt is expecting you to address, then:
1.
Write a full introduction/thesis paragraph that includes, in this order, a.
contextualization - place topic in context of the historical period and ALWAYS give time period.
Must be a minimum of TWO sentences. b.
address/answer question in TWO sentences – thesis. Do not simply restate the question/prompt, but make sure to address all parts as this will determine the number of topics and body paragraphs. (remember: apples, oranges, and/or bananas) c.
argument – must be clear and must take a stand/position. One sentence.
Example: Question: Describe the political and religious tensions present in mid-17th century England that led to the English Civil and War and analyze the consequences of the War. a.
Contextualization : When Charles I assumed the English throne in the mid-17 th
century, members of Parliament had already formed a distrust of the Stuart line ruling England. Much like James I,
Charles I was viewed as an outsider who attempted to raise revenues without consulting Parliament, believed in the Divine Right of Kings, led a corrupt court, and demonstrated Catholic sympathies. b.
Thesis : While parliamentary members were divided on religious reform, they were determined to limit the power of the king. It was within the climate of this political and religious struggle that members of Parliament waged a civil war that removed the king and created a military dictatorship led by Oliver Cromwell. c.
Argument : Ultimately, Cromwell created a Puritan Republic that created a harsher form of rule and that eventually led to the restoration of the Stuart monarchy.
2.
Topic Sentences for Body Paragraphs : Write a topic sentence of each body paragraph that promises the reader what you will be arguing/discussing. Based on the above sample question, you would have
TWO body paragraphs – political and religious tensions. Under each topic sentence, use bullet points to identify what EVIDENCE you will be using to support each topic sentence/body paragraph.
Evidence includes people, wars, treaties, events, books/essays/etc. You should strive to have at minimum TWO-to-THREE pieces of evidence for each body paragraph.
3.
Analysis: After each piece of evidence, you must apply analysis. Example: (Evidence) Charles saw the division in Parliament as an opportunity to reassert his power. (Analysis) As a result of his invading Parliament and attempting to arrest the leaders, he inspired Parliament to authorize the raising of an army. LABEL your evidence and analysis on the outline.
4.
Conclusion & Synthesis: Write out a full conclusion paragraph (restating thesis, but not word-forword) AND end with synthesis, which must be a minimum of TWO-to-THREE sentences. Synthesis must be the last sentences in the essay AND you must LABEL it. Example Synthesis: The English
Parliament’s attempt to force the monarch to include them in political decisions is similar to the Third
Estate exerting their rights against the French king.in the political process. When the Third Estate created the National Assembly, the fate of the French monarch was sealed just as the fate of Charles I was sealed when Parliament chose to revolt against him.