1. The CONTINUITY and CHANGE OVER TIME ESSAY
The BIG PICTURE.
The ripple effect.

2. The Change-Over-Time Essay
One free response question deals with continuity AND change over time.
In the essay you also give an analysis of the dynamics (causes and other factors) of change and continuity.
Writing time: 40 minutes

3. Thoughts To Consider Before Writing
What were things like at the beginning of the assigned period?
What changed?
How and why did it change?
What were things like at the end of the assigned period?
What differences did those changes make?
What remained the same?

4. Definition: Change To make different in some particular ~Merriam-Webster dictionary Definition: Continuity Uninterrupted connection, succession, or union

5. The Change-Over-Time Essay
Underline, box, and/or note the key parts of the prompt.
Write 2 examples or types of change & a piece of historical evidence for each change.
For one of the changes, write a reason why the change took place or a possible result.
Write 2 examples or types of continuity & a piece of historical evidence for each change.
Write a thesis statement that contains the main elements of change and continuity from above.
Define the topic at the starting point of the time period specified. (2 or 3 sentences)

6. COT Essay Structure 1. Introduction with thesis
2. Be sure to answer all parts of the question (Change, continuities, political,
economic, etc.)
3. Using a three stage frame work for your body paragraphs:
Body paragraph #1: Set the stage. Discuss changes
Body paragraph #2: Discuss changes
Body paragraph #3 & #4: Discuss continuities
4. Use a minimum of 6 pieces of evidence for each part of your essay. This
evidence should include both changes and continuities.
5. In conclusion, the essay must connect to the big picture (the global context).

7. The Change-Over-Time Essay
Intro paragraph
Between __(beginning date)____ and __(ending date)______, ___(area you chose to write about___) changed in the area of ____(category(ies) from the prompt)___ but stayed the same in the area of __(the other category(ies) from the prompt)__.
Include your thesis - Make sure that your thesis responds directly to the prompt and includes both CHANGE and CONTINUITY.
- Make sure your thesis answers the question
Mention time periods.

8. Prompt:
Analyze continuities and changes in global interactions from
Example: During the time period between 1450 and 1700, in the Americas, Afro-Eurasia, and Oceania, trade and technology remained constant in interactions, while there were significant changes in interactions with social structures, exploration, and global dominance.

9. Body Paragraphs #1 and #2: Changes
Topic Sentence/Sentence #1: During the time period (date) to (date), (world context: what event was occurring; can be the same or another event that occurred during the time period) causing many things to change in (AP Theme/topic) because (why did this event cause changes? Connect to AP Theme/topic).
Think about the big picture events that are going during this time period.
You must explain what is going on in the world that caused the change. Cover the historical development of an event (what caused it and what it led to). The world context must be relevant to the topic.
Example: During the time period , the Age of Exploration caused many things to change because of increasing interactions and trade between land-based empires and maritime empires.

10. Analysis and Evidence
One change between (dates) that occurred in (AP Theme) was (first category). The reason for this change is because (analysis).
An example of this would be (evidence needs to be specific of the AP Theme). Repeat at least twice
You must address the changes (things that changed) during the time periods.
Each change must connect to the AP theme/topic in the prompt.
Sometimes, the prompt won’t specifically say to “analyze the changes and continuities…”. Even if it doesn’t say these specific words, you must still address both continuities and changes!
Example: One change that occurred in interactions was social structures of the Americas. The reason for this change was because as Europeans settled in the Americas new classes emerged as a result of interactions between Europeans, Africans, and Amerindians. An example of this was the creation of the casta system due to miscegenation.

11. Body Paragraph #3 and maybe #4: Continuities
Topic Sentence/Sentence #1: During the time period (date) to (date), (world context: what event was occurring) causing many things to stay constant in (AP Theme/topic) because (why did this event allow continuities? Connect it to the AP Theme/topic).
Think about the big picture events that are going during this time period.  You must explain what is going on in the world that caused the continuity.
Cover the historical development of an event (what caused it and what it led to). The world context must be relevant to the topic.
Example: During the time period , the maritime trade caused many things to stay constant in interactions because of the continuing need for trade and goods to sustain a global economy.

12. Evidence and Analysis
One continuity between (dates) that occurred in (AP Theme/topic) was (first category). The reason for this continuity is because (analysis).
An example of this would be (evidence needs to be specific to the AP Theme/topic). Repeat at least once more – two would be best. 
You must address the continuities (things that remained the same) during the time periods.
Each continuity must connect to the AP theme/topic in the prompt. Example: One continuity between that occurred in interactions was technology.
The reason for this continuity is because as empires continued to trade technologies would be exchanged and improved upon. As example of this would be advanced shipping technology which spread to Europe from China allowing Europeans to dominate maritime trade in the Atlantic world.

13. Change Over Time Essay
Question: Discuss the changes and continuities of the political and economic systems of ONE of the following areas from the years 500 BCE CE. South Asia (India) West Africa East Asia (China, Japan)
THESIS:
The interaction with Muslim merchants starting in 700 CE transformed West Africa from decentralized tribes into powerful Kingdoms with extensive economic wealth that played a major role in the world. However, they maintained rule by native leaders and continued the slave trade.

14. The Change-Over-Time Essay
If the prompt is: Analyze the changes and continuities in world trade systems from 1450 to 1750.
Your thesis might read: Around 1450 Asia and the Ottomans ruled the seas and land routes were still popular but by 1750 there were major changes in world trade as the Americas were connected to Eurasia and as Western Europeans began to dominate global sea trade. However, the overland trade routes of Asia continued to flourish.

15. The Change-Over-Time Essay
You could write:
One major change in world trade was the opening of the Americas. World trade was altered not only in its patterns but its products. The precious metals and crops of the Americas and the Atlantic slave trade from West Africa to the Americas provided new wealth for Europeans.
Another change was European dominance of the Indian Ocean trade. First the Portuguese, then the Spanish, Dutch, and English replaced Arab merchants as the carriers of goods in the Indian Ocean.

16. The Change-Over-Time Essay
You could write:
A continuity in world trade includes the overland routes of Asia. Since the classical period, the products of Asia like silk and porcelain moved along the Silk Roads that connected East Asia to the Middle East.

17. The Change-Over-Time Essay
ANALYSIS of the Change or Continuity means that you give reasons for the change or continuity OR why the changes happened.
Why did Europeans control the Americas?
Why didn’t the Chinese stop European advancement?
What made the Silk Roads last so long as a trade route?

18. The Change-Over-Time Essay
If one of your pieces of evidence was First the Portuguese, then the Spanish, Dutch, and English replaced Arab merchants as the carriers of goods in the Indian Ocean.
You could analyze this by writing. . .
The innovations and advancements in ship building and firepower allowed the Europeans to overwhelm East African and Asian ships and trading ports. Or
Though the Ming Chinese had the technology to control Asian sea trade, they chose instead to continue to make profits by allowing others to carry the goods to and from their ports. This gave the Europeans a chance to gain control over East African, Arab, and Indian merchants.

19. Evidence and analysis
Example of Environmental Change : There was a significant change to the global environment through the spread of plants and animals in this period.
Evidence: For example, several food crops, like the potato and corn, became a staple in many regions (China) after its introduction from the Americas.
Analysis: A population explosion resulted in China from these new food crops which created some of the social problems leading to the end of the Qing dynasty.

20. Global Context
In other words, what else is happening in the world?
The global context point can be earned by effectively showing:
·       Comparisons to other regions
·       Connection to global processes
·       Interaction among regions
A simple statement is all that is required to earn this point.
· Ex: Mongol women, like European women, did not bind their feet as the Chinese women did.
   

21. Words to express change/continuity:
Modify After
Evolves Emerged
Flux Differed
Adapt Reform
Turning point Transform
Varies Shifted
Still Maintained
Constant Throughout
Remained Continued
Stable Status Quo
Secure Invariable
Consistent The whole time
Carried over

22. Our Essay Topic
1. Analyze the cultural and political changes and continuities in the following civilization during the last centuries of the classical era.
Roman, 100 C.E. to 600 C.E.

23. Change Over Time Essay Rubric
BASIC CORE
EXPANDED CORE
Points
1) Has acceptable thesis. (Addresses the global issues and the time period specified.) 1
Expands beyond basic core of 1 to 7 points. A student must earn 7 points in the basic core area before earning points in the expanded core area.
Examples:
Has a clear, analytical, and comprehensive thesis.
Addresses all issues of the question (as relevant): global context, chronology, causation, change, continuity, effects, content.
Addresses all parts of the question evenly.
Provides ample historical evidence to substantiate the thesis.
Provides links with relevant ideas, events, and trends in an innovative way.
0-2
2) Addresses all parts of the question (though not necessarily evenly or thoroughly) 2
· Addresses most parts of the question
(1)
3) Substantiates thesis with appropriate historical evidence
· Partially substantiates thesis with appropriate historical evidence
4) Uses relevant world historical context effectively to explain change over time and/or continuity.
5) Analyzes the process of change over time and/or continuity.
Subtotal 7
TOTAL 9