Compare and Contrast Essay AP World History

Topic Sentences (What to do) Intoduce each paragraph. (does your first sentence and last sentence in each paragraph match up?) Intoduce each paragraph. (does your first sentence and last sentence in each paragraph match up?) Brevity: Long, rambling sentences can be confusing. Brevity: Long, rambling sentences can be confusing. Clarity: Likewise, don’t beat around the bush. Say exactly what you want to say. Try not to engage in wordplay and don’t speak in vague terms. Clarity: Likewise, don’t beat around the bush. Say exactly what you want to say. Try not to engage in wordplay and don’t speak in vague terms. Precision: Don’t be too broad when introducing the topic that you’re going to discuss. Precision: Don’t be too broad when introducing the topic that you’re going to discuss.

What not to do (Topic Sentences) Don’t use facts as topic sentences. Remember, you are using the topic sentence to introduce a point you are trying to make, or your opinion. Don’t use facts as topic sentences. Remember, you are using the topic sentence to introduce a point you are trying to make, or your opinion. Don’t just talk about the “what” – talk about the “why” as well. That is, don’t just think about the effect, but it’s cause. Don’t just talk about the “what” – talk about the “why” as well. That is, don’t just think about the effect, but it’s cause.

Compare and Contrast

Rubric Comparison means to say what is the same and what is different. Comparison means to say what is the same and what is different. This says at LEAST one, you need THREE. This says at LEAST one, you need THREE. Rule of 3! Rule of 3! Analyze means to say why. Analyze means to say why. Why is there a difference or similarity? Why is there a difference or similarity?

The Question

Formatting the Essay You only get points for pointing out the similarities and differences. You only get points for pointing out the similarities and differences. Organization is very important! Organization is very important! Consider the following examples…… Consider the following examples……

Example #1 This is not a good idea. This is not a good idea. What is bad about this example? What is bad about this example? ANSWER: ANSWER: Where are you going to compare and contrast? Where are you going to compare and contrast?

Example #2 This can work, but not always. This can work, but not always. Why would this not always work? Why would this not always work?

Example #3 This requires a lot of prewriting. If you have time, do this, but do not use the broad social, economic or political categories. Narrow the categories to themes and concepts. Why would you want to narrow them?

Thesis Address question, use groups, include time period if noted and give defining categories. Political (in a more defining category) Comparing and Contrasting Evidence Conclusion with some historical context Organize Your Essay Before Writing example Political (in a more defining category) Comparing and Contrasting Political (in a more defining category) Comparing and contrasting

Common Problems Describing the two things or events separately (with a lot of evidence) but never comparing and/or contrasting. Describing the two things or events separately (with a lot of evidence) but never comparing and/or contrasting. You will not earn any points for describing. You will not earn any points for describing. Confusing dates, people, and places Confusing dates, people, and places Running out of time and not finishing Running out of time and not finishing

General Problems for all essays Not addressing the prompt. Not addressing the prompt. Similar but not different. Similar but not different. Losing focus. Losing focus. Giving up. Giving up. Never, never, never give up! Never, never, never give up!

Comparative Statements AP World History

How are Comparative Statements written? Example A: Example A: “The British ruled their empire through local intermediaries. France created a bureaucracy staffed by French soldiers and civilian servants.” “The British ruled their empire through local intermediaries. France created a bureaucracy staffed by French soldiers and civilian servants.” Example B: Example B: “The British ruled their empire through local intermediaries. Where as France created a bureaucracy staffed by French soldiers and civilian servants.” “The British ruled their empire through local intermediaries. Where as France created a bureaucracy staffed by French soldiers and civilian servants.” Do you notice the difference? Do you notice the difference?