Read the prompt carefully and identify the time period, topic, and task
Decide what type of LEQ it is: causation, comparison, or continuity and change
Write a clear thesis that answers the prompt and makes a defensible claim
Include relevant historical context before the main argument
Organize body paragraphs around specific claims that support the thesis
Use precise historical evidence to support each claim
Explain how the evidence proves the argument
Address all parts of the prompt directly
Use analysis, not just summary
Keep the essay focused on the prompt and thesis
End with a strong final statement that reinforces the argument