How to “Head-Off” Weak Papers! How to “Head-Off” Weak Papers! Writing a “Killer” Compare Contrast Essay!!

The AP World History Exam: Multiple Choice Section – 70 multiple Choice Questions in 55 minutesMultiple Choice Section – 70 multiple Choice Questions in 55 minutes Three Essays – 2 Hours 10 minutes:Three Essays – 2 Hours 10 minutes: 1 DBQ Essay (Document Based Question) 1 Compare Contrast Essay 1 Change & Continuity Over Time Essay TOTAL TIME FOR ENTIRE TEST: 3 Hours, 5 Minutes

The C/C Essay: What to Expect The prompt will allow a choice between developments in at least TWO societies/regions in the SAME time period The prompt will allow a choice between developments in at least TWO societies/regions in the SAME time period

2008 C/C Essay Prompt When the prompt says “compare” that always means to compare AND contrast.When the prompt says “compare” that always means to compare AND contrast. You will ALWAYS show similarities and differences in this type of essay.You will ALWAYS show similarities and differences in this type of essay.

THE RUBRIC You can score 9 points on the C/C Essay.You can score 9 points on the C/C Essay. You can score 7 points on the “Basic Core”.You can score 7 points on the “Basic Core”. In you earn all 7 Basic Core points, you might be able to earn 2 additional “Expanded Core” bonus points.In you earn all 7 Basic Core points, you might be able to earn 2 additional “Expanded Core” bonus points.

Your Mission: 1.Write a 5 paragraph essay. 2.Write a thesis that answers ALL parts of the essay prompt and has three ways to prove your argument. 3.Identify three topics for your body paragraphs (these should be the same three ideas in your thesis). If the categories (gender, religion, political, etc.) are given to you in the prompt… you MUST use them! 4.If the categories are not given in the essay prompt, you can use S.P.R.I.I.T.E. themes.

Categories? Compare the political, economic, and social effects of the Black Plague in 14 th century Europe with the introduction of smallpox in 16 th century America.Compare the political, economic, and social effects of the Black Plague in 14 th century Europe with the introduction of smallpox in 16 th century America. Analyze the similarities and differences between the rise of fascism in Germany and Italy in the 1930s.Analyze the similarities and differences between the rise of fascism in Germany and Italy in the 1930s. Compare how seventeenth-century absolute monarchs and twentieth-century dictators gained and maintained their power.Compare how seventeenth-century absolute monarchs and twentieth-century dictators gained and maintained their power.

What To Do With The Body? Direct Comparison #2 FACT #1-FACT #1- FACT #2-FACT #2- FACT #3-FACT #3- ANALYSIS-ANALYSIS- THESIS PARAGRAPH CONCLUSION Direct Comparison #1Direct Comparison #1 FACT #1-FACT #1- FACT #2-FACT #2- FACT #3-FACT #3- ANALYSIS-ANALYSIS-Direct Comparison #3 FACT #1-FACT #1- FACT #2-FACT #2- FACT #3-FACT #3- ANALYSIS-ANALYSIS- Body Paragraphs Should be Comparative or Contrastive...NOT BOTH Also, DO NOT write about the first civilization and then the second. Instead, write the paper by category.

1 st Civilization2 nd civilization 1 st Theme 2 nd Theme 3 rd Theme

Then write a C/C Thesis. Your thesis must have a total of THREE ideas to compare (2 sims, one diff. or 2 differences, one sim).Then write a C/C Thesis. Your thesis must have a total of THREE ideas to compare (2 sims, one diff. or 2 differences, one sim). Your thesis must begin with an “Although” statement:Your thesis must begin with an “Although” statement:AlthoughWhile Even Though While it may be true In spite of Granted that EXERCISE: Make a chart for the following Essay Prompt: Analyze the similarities and differences between middle school and high school.

Let’s Practice Some More… “Compare the geographic, political and social characteristics of Ancient Greece and the Persian Empire.” “Compare the geographic, political and social characteristics of Ancient Greece and the Persian Empire.” 1. In your History Journal, make a chart listing everything you know about those civilizations in those categories. 2. Next, write a thesis which answers the prompt.

Comparison Chart Persian EmpireAncient Greece G eographic -Hot dry, desert like -relied on irrigation for agriculture -Mountains, hills -City states/polis were separated by geography P olitical -King, satraps, -Cyrus, Darius -Expanded empire from Mediterranean to India -polis was primary political form; democracy/oligarchy -Athens, Sparta, Thebes, Corinth -Solon the lawgiver, Pericles S ocial -Patriarchy; male supreme head of household -Slavery and class divisions -family groups -Women treated inferior - more egalitarian but still had class divisions, had slaves -distinct gender roles -private & public roles

Compare Contrast THESIS Once you have your three categories, you are ready to write your thesis.Once you have your three categories, you are ready to write your thesis. Your thesis statement should always start with the word “Although” or “While” or “Despite the fact”.Your thesis statement should always start with the word “Although” or “While” or “Despite the fact”. Your thesis statement can be one or two sentences.Your thesis statement can be one or two sentences.

The BAD Thesis Greece and Persia shared many similarities and differences. Greece and Persia shared many similarities and differences.

The “Blah” Thesis Although Ancient Greece and the Persian Empire shared some similarities in their social features, they were different politically and geographically. Although Ancient Greece and the Persian Empire shared some similarities in their social features, they were different politically and geographically.

Although both Ancient Greece and the Persian Empire had patriarchal societies which relegated women to an inferior status, their geographic features varied significantly and the size and strength of their political forms were vastly different. The Winner Thesis

Your thesis must be a specific and explicit answer to the prompt. Does not merely restate the themes in the prompt.Your thesis must be a specific and explicit answer to the prompt. Does not merely restate the themes in the prompt. It must address ALL parts of the question.It must address ALL parts of the question. If you don’t have a thesis that answers the prompt or you have a really bad one, it could cost you THREE basic core points!If you don’t have a thesis that answers the prompt or you have a really bad one, it could cost you THREE basic core points!THESIS

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly Bad The recovery of Russia and China after the Mongols had many similarities and differences. Bad The recovery of Russia and China after the Mongols had many similarities and differences. The above sentence is vague, wimpy, and is really just a restatement of an assumption in the prompt. It is a fluttering of loose ends needing to be nailed down onto concrete categories. Now look at this one. The above sentence is vague, wimpy, and is really just a restatement of an assumption in the prompt. It is a fluttering of loose ends needing to be nailed down onto concrete categories. Now look at this one. Better When Russia and China recovered from Mongol domination they had similar political goals but different cultural goals. Better When Russia and China recovered from Mongol domination they had similar political goals but different cultural goals. This thesis is getting there. It at least declares in general categories how the paths of China and Russia were different and how they were similar after the Mongols. It has broken down (analyzed) these things into categories that lend themselves to a well defined essay. But it could be better. Note the difference between the above thesis and the one below: This thesis is getting there. It at least declares in general categories how the paths of China and Russia were different and how they were similar after the Mongols. It has broken down (analyzed) these things into categories that lend themselves to a well defined essay. But it could be better. Note the difference between the above thesis and the one below: Best While both Russia and China built strong centralized governments after breaking free from the Mongols, Russia imitated the culture and technology of Europe while China became isolated and built upon its own foundations.

MAKING COMPARISONS Your essay must make direct comparisons between societies.Your essay must make direct comparisons between societies. Your essay must include similarities as well as differences.Your essay must include similarities as well as differences. Your essay must include sufficient evidence – at least 6 facts (minimum).Your essay must include sufficient evidence – at least 6 facts (minimum). Your essay must analyze relevant reasons for similarities and differences.

The “Why” Statement Lastly, your essay must analyze “why” there were similarities or differences.Lastly, your essay must analyze “why” there were similarities or differences. For example, “Why” did the civilizations of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia have such different views of the afterlife?For example, “Why” did the civilizations of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia have such different views of the afterlife? This is called analysis. You must go beyond mere comparisons and statements of fact to earn this point.This is called analysis. You must go beyond mere comparisons and statements of fact to earn this point.

THESIS: 1 ST Region or Civilization (_________________) 2 nd Region or Civilization (_________________) Analyze one reason why each theme is similar/different 1 st Theme 2 nd Theme 3 rd Theme CONCLUSION:

Remember the Outline! Direct Comparison #2 FACT #1-FACT #1- FACT #2-FACT #2- FACT #3-FACT #3- ANALYSIS-ANALYSIS- THESIS PARAGRAPH CONCLUSION Direct Comparison #1Direct Comparison #1 FACT #1-FACT #1- FACT #2-FACT #2- FACT #3-FACT #3- ANALYSIS-ANALYSIS-Direct Comparison #3 FACT #1-FACT #1- FACT #2-FACT #2- FACT #3-FACT #3- ANALYSIS-ANALYSIS-

You must include analysis in your essay at least THREE times.You must include analysis in your essay at least THREE times. Usually the analysis statement is placed at the end of the body paragraph, but it can be used throughout the essay. The more analysis the better!Usually the analysis statement is placed at the end of the body paragraph, but it can be used throughout the essay. The more analysis the better! If you get stuck – remember the following phrases to help you include analysis:If you get stuck – remember the following phrases to help you include analysis: The “Why” Statement “This [sim/diff] was most likely due to the fact that…” Or Or “Obviously, this [sim/diff] was a result of…”

If you achieve all 7 basic core points, you can earn an additional 2 points on your essay through the expanded core.If you achieve all 7 basic core points, you can earn an additional 2 points on your essay through the expanded core. Basic core shows competence. Expanded core demonstrates excellence in writing!Basic core shows competence. Expanded core demonstrates excellence in writing! EXPANDED CORE

Unlike the Basic Core, the Expanded Core can be viewed as somewhat subjective.Unlike the Basic Core, the Expanded Core can be viewed as somewhat subjective. Concentrate on these four expanded core criteria (easiest way to earn expanded core points):Concentrate on these four expanded core criteria (easiest way to earn expanded core points): 1.Write a complex, comprehensive thesis. 2. Make consistent comparisons often. 3. Provide ample historical evidence. 4. Include additional analysis of similarities and differences.

Write the Essay! 1. Remember the “Rule of Three” Three points in your thesisThree points in your thesis Three body paragraphsThree body paragraphs Three pieces of evidence in support of each point/paragraphThree pieces of evidence in support of each point/paragraph Three analysis statements (one per paragraph)Three analysis statements (one per paragraph) 2.Write the paper – Maintain parallel order from thesis 3. Don’t forget to include topic sentences. Also include transition sentences at the end of your body paragraphs