APUSH Long Essay Question (LEQ)

The "Evaluate the Extent" Framework (5 Paragraphs)

The goal of this essay is to build a complex, three-part argument that proves the degree (the "extent") of historical change or continuity. You must use a minimum of three specific pieces of evidence to earn full points.

1. The Contextualization Paragraph (Your Introduction)

Goal	Guidance	Sentence Starters
Broad Context	Discuss events that occurred before the time period (before 1607) but are relevant. (e.g., The Columbian Exchange, disease, or the first century of Spanish colonization).	To understand the events of 1607–1754, it is essential to first consider the broader period of... The roots of this historical development can be traced back to the earlier era of...
Bridge	Connect your broad context directly to the start of the prompt's time frame (1607), explaining why English colonization began.	By the early 17th century, European nations were intensely focused on... This competition ultimately created the conditions necessary for permanent English settlement in...
Thesis	Your one-sentence complex thesis. It must answer the prompt and include a complexity word (although, however, ultimately).	Therefore, the extent to which colonization fostered change in the Americas from 1607 to 1754 was [profound/moderate] because [Main Claim], although [Counter Claim] remained a significant factor.

2. Body Paragraph 1: Supporting Claim A (The Most Significant Change)

This paragraph is dedicated to proving the most extensive change or impact you identified in your thesis.

Goal	Guidance	Sentence Starters
Topic Sentence	State your main claim clearly. This should be the core of your thesis's "ultimately" part.	The most significant and profound change fostered by colonization was... A fundamental transformation in the Americas involved the creation of...
Specific Evidence #1	Introduce your first, strongest piece of specific historical evidence (a term, law, event, or name). Detail the who, what, and when.	This claim is strongly supported by the rapid institutionalization of... For example, the shift away from indentured servitude and toward Chattel Slavery became dominant because...
Analysis	Analyze how this evidence proves your argument. Explain the cause, effect, and its lasting significance.	This development fundamentally altered the social structure of the colonies by establishing... Consequently, this massive change led directly to...

3. Body Paragraph 2: Secondary Argument (Further Proof of Change)

This paragraph provides a second distinct piece of evidence that supports your primary thesis point, typically focusing on a different region or theme.

Goal	Guidance	Sentence Starters
Topic Sentence	State your second line of argument. This should be distinct from the first paragraph (e.g., if BP1 was about labor, BP2 could be about Native relations).	In addition to this shift, colonization also radically altered the demographic and political balance through... Furthermore, the relentless imperial expansion resulted in the annihilation of...
Specific Evidence #2	Introduce your second piece of specific historical evidence.	This immense devastation is clearly demonstrated by the military outcome of King Philip’s War (1675–1676) in New England... Evidence of the social destruction can be seen in...
Analysis	Explain the relationship between this evidence and your thesis. How does this second piece of evidence further prove the extent of change was profound?	The consequence of this conflict was that Native American sovereignty in the region was effectively crushed, opening the door for... Therefore, this political restructuring proves the enormous extent of change...

4. Body Paragraph 3: Complexity and Nuance (The "Although" Claim)

This paragraph is critical for earning the Complexity Point. You must address the continuity/counter-argument ("Although X") and then immediately explain why your main argument (BPs 1 & 2) is still more persuasive.

Goal	Guidance	Sentence Starters
Counter-Claim	State the continuity or limitation to the change. (This is the "Although" part of your thesis.)	However, the extent of change was somewhat limited by the remarkable continuity of... Despite the massive social changes, the colonies maintained a similarity with England through...
Specific Evidence #3	Introduce your third piece of specific historical evidence to support this limiting factor (e.g., a policy that did not change).	For example, throughout the entire period, the guiding economic principle of the British Empire remained Mercantilism, as enforced by the Navigation Acts ... Evidence of this political continuity can be found in the replication of English government structures like...
Rebuttal/Synthesis	Crucial: Acknowledge this continuity, but immediately explain why the changes you discussed in BPs 1 and 2 were more significant.	Nevertheless, this imperial continuity does not diminish the profound impact of [change 1] and [change 2] because those shifts fundamentally redefined the colonial social structure... Ultimately, while [X] remained, [Y] proved to be the more extensive change as it permanently altered the human and labor landscape of the Americas.

5. Conclusion Paragraph

Goal	Guidance	Sentence Starters
Restate Thesis	Briefly summarize your argument and your final judgment on the "extent" of change in new words.	In conclusion, the period from 1607 to 1754 clearly demonstrates that colonization fostered a [profound/moderate/limited] extent of change...
Synthesis/Broader Connection	Connect the argument you proved to a relevant event or theme that occurs outside this time period (after 1754). This is your final chance for Complexity.	The tension created by [Your Main Argument] would ultimately lead to... The legacy of [Your Main Argument] would later become a foundational cause of the...