Structure of the APUSH Long Essay

LONG ESSAY QUESTIONS

On the AP Exam students will choose one of the two long essay questions to answer in writing. The long essay requires the students
demonstrate their ability to use relevant historical evidence in crafting a thoughtful historical argument. The prompt for the long essay
will ask you to analyze an issue using one of the four historical thinking skills: (1) Periodization, (2) Causation, (3) Continuity and
change over time, or (4) Comparison
ESSAY STRUCTURE
Introduction & Thesis Paragraph

Set the Scene in 1-2 sentences, identify and describe the topic, issue, or event from the prompt, note the time period, and
define any key historical terms or concepts from the prompt or to which you will be referring throughout your essay

Thesis- Establish a thoughtful argument that can be further developed throughout the essay using relevant evidence. Your
thesis should clearly outline what you will discuss in your essay, giving categories of analysis.
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Historical Causation: Explain what the causes of the event were, identifying general organizational
categories/developments that you can expand on with evidence later in your essay.

Continuity and Change over Time: Explain to what extent there has been continuity and change during the time
period, as well as identifying what the continuities AND changes were. Be sure to identify general organizational
categories/developments that you can expand on with evidence later in your essay.

Compare and Contrast: Explain the similarities AND differences between two given topics. Be sure to identify what
the similarities and the differences are with general organizational categories that you can expand on with evidence later
in your essay.

Periodization: Explain to what extent the event was or was not a turning point. Also explain what changed and what
stayed the same from the period before to the period following. Be sure to include general organizational categories that
you can expand on with evidence in your essay.

Body Paragraphs (typically 2-3 body paragraphs per essay)

Topic Sentence first sentence in a body paragraph that identifies the subpoint/organizational category and re-asserts the
position indicated in the thesis

Relevant Historical Evidence (2-3 pieces per body paragraph) in multiple sentences, craft an argument using a piece of
specific historical evidence; you should cite specific facts and/or define/describe specific historical terms connected to this
piece of evidence; you should also explicitly analyze the historical evidence by explaining the significance of the events and
how it furthers the argument you are making in the essay; repeat for each piece of evidence

Conclusion Sentence - last sentence(s) of the body paragraph that summarizes how the evidence in this body paragraph
supports your position from your thesis; remember to emphasize the historical thinking skill: CC, CE, CCOT, P; when
possible, try to use the conclusion to connect (preview) the next body paragraph

Synthesis Paragraph - in lieu of a standard conclusion paragraph, the final paragraph of your essay should connect the topic of
the essay question to specific events, issues, or concepts of a different historical period, geographical area, context, or
circumstance; similar to the body paragraphs, you should use multiple sentences to make meaningful and persuasive connections,
using concrete terms and explicit explanation