1. Comparative Essay Comparative Writing
Tina Gentry/Westfield High 1

2. What is the purpose?
Making comparisons is a huge part of understanding world history
This essay typically involves how two societies responded to a major theme or event
Comparing means finding both similarities AND dissimilarities

3. Major Themes tested on the comparative essay include
How different societies responded to events, to each other and to other societies
How different societies changed – or didn’t – in response to an event
How different societies developed
How different societies responded to new technologies or new ideas

4. What is expected of you
Write a thesis that makes your major points of comparison
Answer all parts of the question
Make at least three, direct, relevant comparisons of the given societies
Analyze relevant reasons for similarities and/or differences

5. What does that mean?
You are going to write an essay with a thesis, support that thesis by referencing relevant history, and compare and contrast as the question indicates, making sure you include not only similarities but also differences
Are you still unsure of what to do – let’s break it down step-by-step

6. How is the Comparative Essay scored?
Look at your handout
Basic Core
0 – 7 points
You must earn ALL 7 basic core points in order to earn expanded core points
In 2 areas of the basic core it is possible to earn only PARTIAL credit (1 point instead of 2 points)
Expanded Core
Note that several items in the expanded core are simply more detailed versions of the basic core
TO get an 8 or 9, focus on doing a great job on the elements that are in both the basic and expanded core

7. So what first?
Take about 5-10 minutes to plan your essay before you actually begin writing
Remember, the more time you spend planning, the less time you will spend writing and the better organized your writing will be!!

8. What do the directions mean?
Step 1 – Process the question; dissect the prompt
You need to know EXACTLY what you are being asked to do
Circle the key phrases as you process the question
You must address all parts of the question

9. What do the directions mean? Step 1 continued
Let’s look at an example:
The first civilizations all developed near River Valleys. From these early civilizations, many others have emerged. Compare and contrast the political, economic, and social aspects of TWO of the following River Valley Civilizations. Be sure to address the impact they had on any civilization which appeared later in history.
China
India
Mesopotamia
Egypt

10. What do the directions mean? Step 1 continued
What key phrases did you circle?
Your list should include
The two River Valley civilizations you want to focus on
Compare and Contrast Political aspects
Compare and Contrast Economic aspects
Compare and Contrast Social aspects
Discuss the impact on a society which emerged later in history

11. What do the directions mean? Step 1 continued
What are you being asked to do?
Compare and contrast the political, economic, and social aspects of TWO of the following River Valley Civilizations
Discuss the influences one river valley civilization had on those which developed later in history

12. What do the directions mean?
Step 2 – Build a framework
The purpose of this is to both provide you with an outline for an essay and to ensure that you don’t miss any part of the question
Using the example from Step 1, begin by choosing two river valley civilizations as instructed then create a chart (see next slide)
Or use the Chart handout provided

13. What do the directions mean? Step 2 continued
Your chart should include:
A column for each of the 2 river valley civilizations
A row Political aspects
A row for Economic aspects
A row for Social aspects
Underline the similarities
Circle the differences

14. What do the directions mean?
Step 3 – Build Your Essay
Fill in the chart
Be sure to enter both the information about each segment AND the evidence to support each answer
Doing so will help you write your essay – the better you plan here, the easier the writing will be

15. What do the directions mean?
Step 4 – Write your essay
Once you’ve completed your chart, its time to start writing
Planning is CRITICAL – the more you plan, the less time it will actually take you to write
You have approx. 40 min for this essay, if you spend 15 min planning, you should easily be able to write the essay in the remaining 25 minutes

16. What do the directions mean? Step 4 continued
Your thesis is critical and must be supported by facts
Make sure you have an analytical thesis that includes both the focus of your essay and WHY you believe your claim to be true
Answer the question by including key phrases from the question
Support each of your assertions with some introductory evidence (save the details for your body paragraphs)
Transition from the thesis to the body of the essay

17. Thesis Must be in 1st paragraph Must be in consecutive sentences
must have examples

18. Bad Thesis
Example thesis 1: Ancient Egypt and ancient Mesopotamia had many similarities, but also some differences. (Example of an unacceptable thesis. Why?)
Example thesis 2: Ancient Egypt and ancient Mesopotamia had similar economics and religion, but differed in politics. (Example of an unacceptable thesis. Why?)

19. Good Thesis
Example thesis 3: Ancient Egypt and ancient Mesopotamia had similar characteristics economically and socially due to a base in agriculture, but differed politically because the pharaohs were more powerful than kings. (Why ?)

20. Direct Comparison The comparison MUST be in the same sentence
Mesopotamian and Egyptians were similar economically because both depended primarily on agriculture

21. Direct Contrast The contrast MUST be in the same sentence
Mesopotamia and Egypt differed politically because Mesopotamia developed a law code but Egypt did not.

22. Essay Structure #1 1st paragraph- Introduction with thesis
2nd paragraph- Similarities and evidence of similarities
3rd paragraph- Differences and evidence of differences
4th paragraph- restate thesis (discuss impact on later societies)

23. Essay Structure #2 1st paragraph- Introduction with thesis
2nd paragraph- Similarities and Differences of Political aspects
3rd paragraph- Similarities and Differences of Economic aspects
4th paragraph- Similarities and Differences of Social aspects
5th restate thesis and Evidence of Similarities and Differences (discuss impact on later societies)

24. The essay Make sure you address each portion of the question
Support your claims with evidence
Pick the structure that is most conducive to writing the strongest essay based on your information and prompt