Complex understanding of the topic of the prompt

Analysis and Reasoning: Complexity

The second part of the Analysis and Reasoning scoring category is complexity.

Out of all the scoring guidelines, earning the complexity point is by far the most challenging part of the LEQ. Why? Because it’s the least concrete skill, requiring students to have a nuanced understanding of the topic.

That being said, earning the point isn’t impossible, just difficult. If you have a solid understanding of the topic and are already comfortable with writing a complex thesis with defensible claims and evidence throughout your entire essay, then read on!

What is the Complexity point?

• The College Board awards this point for essays that “demonstrate a complex understanding” of the topic of the prompt. 🎓
• Complexity cannot be earned with a single sentence or phrase. It must show up throughout the essay. ✍️

Image Courtesy of College Board—APUSH Course & Exam Description

What are some strategies to achieve complexity?

Thesis

A complex argument starts with a complex thesis. What is a complex thesis, you ask?

A complex thesis is usually nuanced - taking into factors beyond the facts you learned in class - and multifaceted - merging your knowledge from one unit with another unit. In essence, your thesis should explore the prompt from multiple angles, and offer a rich exploration of the subject.

Incorporating a counter-claim or an alternative viewpoint right within the thesis sets a robust framework for a complex argument, as it carves out space within the essay's structure to engage with multiple ideas. However, be careful and make sure your body paragraphs align well with the structure set by your thesis, as it could get confusing! It’s always better to ensure a simple, cohesive and well-articulated argument rather than a confusing and long-winded complex argument throughout the essay.

Example of a Simple and Complex Thesis

Let's consider an LEQ prompt from AP European History: "Evaluate the extent to which the ideas of the Renaissance had a significant impact on the arts and architecture.”

A simple thesis would look something like:

Notice how the thesis only introduces one argument: that it renewed interest in humanism and classical antiquity.

A complex thesis would look something like:

Here, not only do we talk about the renewed interest in humanism and classical antiquity, as well as the innovations that occurred during the Renaissance, but this thesis also allows us to talk about how these outcomes aren’t solely attributed to the Renaissance but also to the mixing of ideas. Notice how we bought in another topic unrelated to the Renaissance, which makes it more nuanced and complex.

Modification, Corroboration, and Qualification (MCQ)

Modification

Adding complexity to your argument can come through modification - using evidence to change your claim or argument as it develops. It shows that the initial claim may be too simple to cover the whole reality of history.

For example, if the prompt for the AP European History LEQ was "Evaluate the impact of Enlightenment ideas on the French Revolution." A modification could be: Initially arguing that Enlightenment ideas were the primary catalyst for the French Revolution, but as the essay progresses, modifying the argument to acknowledge that economic hardships and social inequalities also played significant roles in fueling the revolutionary spirit, hence portraying a more nuanced understanding of the multifaceted causes of the French Revolution.

Corroboration

A complex argument often includes corroboration - evidence that supports or confirms the main idea of the argument. A clear explanation connecting each piece of evidence to the thesis will help do this. In the LEQ, all your evidence comes from what you know about history, so it's your job to fully explain how that evidence supports your thesis. A consistent, thoughtful explanation can help a lot toward earning the complexity point.

Qualification

A complex argument may also have qualifications - evidence that limits or counters an initial claim. This doesn’t mean undoing or weakening your claim. Qualifying a claim shows that it doesn’t apply to everything.

For example, if the prompt for the AP US History LEQ was "Evaluate the extent to which the Civil War was a turning point in the lives of African Americans." A corroboration would be providing evidence of the Emancipation Proclamation, the formation of African American regiments like the 54th Massachusetts, and the eventual ratification of the 13th amendment, then thoroughly explaining how each of these events supports the thesis that the Civil War marked a significant turning point by catalyzing the movement towards racial equality and

"Evaluate the extent to which industrialization brought about significant change in a specific region between 1750 and 1900."