This paper concentrates on the design problem of linear active disturbance rejection control (LADRC) for uncertain systems, whose order and parameters are unknown. In general, LADRC has diversified structural forms due to different order and parameters selection. To clarify the prerequisites for constructing the LADRC strategy, a Laguerre-based LADRC (LLADRC) method is proposed, which provides controller design guidance for systems with unknown models by capturing the impulse response. Then, intensive attention is focused on establishing internal stability conditions of the feedback system and parameter tuning rules of the prescribed controller. To gain a better understanding, the internal correlation between LLADRC and standard LADRC of the same order is analyzed. It is shown that observer and controller gains of the standard LADRC can be tuned via a workable LLADRC to achieve better control performance. Finally, a numerical example and an application design of DC motor speed control are studied, both of which demonstrate the feasibility and validity of the proposed method.