APUSH LEQ Examples & Tips – Improve Your Long Essay Score

Why the LEQ is easier than it looks

Unlike the DBQ, the LEQ doesn’t give you documents — but the rubric is very similar. If you practice a few reliable outlines, LEQs can become one of the most comfortable parts of the exam.

For a full breakdown of each rubric row, open the APUSH LEQ rubric page. This guide focuses on turning that rubric into concrete writing steps.

Quick overview: the 6-point APUSH LEQ rubric

Points breakdown

1 pt – Thesis
1 pt – Contextualization
2 pts – Evidence
2 pts – Analysis & Reasoning

Score goals for a 5 on the exam

You don’t need a perfect 6/6 to get a 5 overall in APUSH. For most students, a realistic target is:

4 or 5 points on the LEQ rubric
Consistent thesis + contextualization
Solid evidence and some analysis, even if complexity isn’t perfect

After scoring your LEQ, plug the 0–6 value into the APUSH Score Calculator to see how much it changes your composite.

Step 1: Thesis and contextualization for LEQs

Thesis: answer the prompt and set up categories

LEQ prompts usually ask you to argue about causation, comparison, or continuity and change over time (CCOT). Your thesis should follow that task and name 2–3 clear categories.

Generic thesis frames:

Causation: "The most significant cause of [OUTCOME] in the period [TIME FRAME] was [CATEGORY 1], because [reason], while [CATEGORY 2] and [CATEGORY 3] also contributed to a lesser extent."

Comparison: "[GROUP/REGION 1] and [GROUP/REGION 2] were similar in [CATEGORY], but differed significantly in [CATEGORY] and [CATEGORY], because [reason]."

CCOT: "Between [START] and [END], [TOPIC] experienced major changes in [CATEGORY 1] and [CATEGORY 2], while [CATEGORY 3] remained largely continuous, due to [reason]."

Contextualization: zoom out, then zoom in

Just like the DBQ, LEQ contextualization is a short paragraph before the thesis that explains the broader background and leads into your argument.

Start with events, trends, or developments that set up the prompt.
Include a few specific names, dates, or examples to show you know the era.
End by connecting directly to the question: “Because of these developments, …”

Practice idea:

Pull 3 LEQ prompts (one of each type) and just write contextualization + thesis for each one. Then compare your work to the expectations on the LEQ rubric.

Step 2: Simple LEQ outlines for each prompt type

Before you write full essays, practice building quick outlines. Here are reliable patterns for each type.

Causation LEQ outline

            Intro: Contextualization + thesis naming 2–3 main causes.
Body 1: Most important cause (topic sentence, 2–3 pieces of evidence, explanation).
Body 2: Second cause (same structure).
Body 3: Optional third cause or counterargument / limitation.
Conclusion: Restate argument + brief complexity if possible.

        

Comparison LEQ outline

            Intro: Contextualization + thesis naming key similarities and differences.
Body 1: Similarities (topic sentence + evidence for both sides).
Body 2: Differences (topic sentence + evidence for both sides).
Body 3: Why these similarities/differences existed.
Conclusion: Tie back to bigger themes (like democracy, rights, economics).

        

CCOT LEQ outline

            Intro: Contextualization + thesis naming main changes and continuities.
Body 1: Changes (2–3 specific changes over time + why they happened).
Body 2: Continuities (what stayed the same + why).
Body 3: Evaluate which mattered more overall.
Conclusion: Connect to a later or earlier period for complexity if possible.

        

Step 3: LEQ body paragraph sentence frames

A strong LEQ body paragraph doesn’t need to be fancy. It should just follow a clear pattern:

Topic sentence – connect directly to the thesis category.
Evidence – 2–3 specific facts, events, people, laws, or developments.
Explanation – show how the evidence supports your argument.
Analysis – connect to causation, comparison, or change/continuity as required.

Sample paragraph skeleton:

Topic sentence: "One key way [TOPIC] changed during this period was in [CATEGORY]."

Evidence: "For example, [SPECIFIC FACT 1] and [SPECIFIC FACT 2] show that [describe what changed]."

Explanation: "These developments mattered because they led to [result/impact]."

Analysis: "This demonstrates [cause/comparison/change] since [connect to prompt and bigger argument]."

If every body paragraph follows this pattern, you’ll naturally hit the evidence and reasoning points on the LEQ rubric.

Step 4: Common LEQ mistakes that cost points

Writing a “story” of the time period instead of answering the exact task (cause, compare, CCOT).
Making general statements with no specific evidence (names, dates, events).
Forgetting to clearly show change vs continuity, or similarity vs difference.
Skipping the conclusion, even though it’s a great place to show higher-level analysis.
Never scoring your own essays with the 6-point rubric.

Quick win:

After writing an LEQ, underline your thesis, circle your contextualization, and put a star next to each specific piece of evidence. Then compare what you’ve marked to the rubric rows to estimate your score.

Step 5: Simple LEQ practice routine

You don’t need to write full essays every day to get good at LEQs. Instead, practice smart:

2–3 times per week

Pick one LEQ prompt and write only contextualization + thesis (10 minutes).
Outline 2 body paragraphs (topic sentences + 2–3 pieces of evidence each).
Alternate between causation, comparison, and CCOT prompts.

Once per week

Write one full LEQ in 40 minutes under exam-like conditions.
Score it using the LEQ rubric.
Enter the 0–6 LEQ score into the APUSH Score Calculator.
Note whether LEQ is pulling your composite down compared to MCQ/SAQ/DBQ.

Connecting LEQs to your overall APUSH score

The LEQ is just one part of your exam, but improving it makes your whole score profile stronger — especially when combined with a solid DBQ.

Use the LEQ rubric page to understand scoring.
Use this page for structure and practice ideas.
Use the DBQ rubric and DBQ tips to strengthen your other essay.
Track every full practice test in the APUSH Score Calculator so you can see how LEQ gains push your composite toward a 4 or 5.
For overall strategy, read APUSH Tips for Getting a 5.

RC

About this APUSH LEQ tips page

This guide is part of the APUSH Tips & Guides series on APUSH Score Calculator. It’s designed to work alongside the calculator and rubric pages so your LEQ practice always connects to real score changes.

Last updated: February 2025 • Have feedback or found an error? Let us know via the Contact Us page.