COMParative Essay

• AP World History

General Information

• 3rd essay you’ll see on the AP World History exam, but you don’t have to do it last.

• Worth 1/3 of the total essay score, 1/6 of the total test score.

• Based on a comparison of two societies in a particular time period.

• You should have a choice of what two civilizations to pick.

• Your job is to organize the evidence you know to see how they relate to the question and each other, making sure you discuss both similarities and differences.

Steps to Writing a Good Comparative Essay

• 1. Identify the Rubric• 2. Read the Question Carefully• 3. Brainstorm the Topic• 4. Write a Thesis• 5. Outline the Essay• 6. Write the Essay• 7. Add an Conclusion• 8. Proofread your Essay

Step 1• Identify the Rubric

• Like all AP World History essays, the Comparative Essays are read first for a basic core. It must include all of the following to get a score of 7 on the basic core;– Is your thesis acceptable? 1 point– Have you addressed all parts of the questions? (both

similarities and differences) 2 points– Have you supported the thesis with appropriate evidence? 2

points– Do you make at least one or two relevant direct comparisons

between societies? 1 point– Have you analyzed at least one reason for a similarity or

difference identified in a direct comparison? 1 point

Expanded core

• Worth up to two extra points– Do you have a clear, analytical and comprehensive thesis? Do you

include a conclusion?– Have you addressed all parts of the question (as relevant): comparisons,

causation, connections, themes, interactions, content?– Do you provide ample historical evidence to substantiate your thesis?– Have you related comparisons to a larger global context?– Do you make several direct comparisons consistently between or among

societies?– Have you a consistent analysis of the causes and effects of relevant

similarities and differences?

• Notice several of the items are simply more detailed basic core items. To get expanded core you must first get basic core. You don’t need to do all expanded core, but the more the better.

Step 2• Read the Question Carefully

– Most important step• You must know what they are asking in order to answer

the question

– Underline the important parts of the question• Timeframe, location, society• Is it a two part question?• What PERSIAN characteristics are they asking for?

– What exactly are they asking by finding key words• Compare, contrast, analyze, cause, consequence, etc• Write some synonyms for key words, but don’t be afraid

to repeat key words throughout your essay again and again.

Step 3• Brainstorm the Topic

– Write down some ideas you already know– What do you know about this time period(s)

• Who is rising or falling• What interaction is going on• What new trends starting, old trends stopping.

– What do you know about the locations• Who is strong, who is weak• Any new groups in the area

– What do you know about the societies• How do they rule• What do they do for work• How do they live

– These ideas you will tie back to your thesis and evidence.

Step 4• Write a Good Thesis

• The thesis is your first paragraph that tells the reader what you are going to say. – Try to keep it to one detailed sentence, this keeps it clear.

• First rephrase the question as a simple statement.– Make sure to include the location and timeframe.

• Next add the blueprint. Use the rule of 3 for the blueprint. – Decide which 3 characteristics your body paragraphs are

going to talk about. (2 similarities and 1 difference or vice versa)

– Use key words in the thesis that readers look for; similarity/differences, political, economic, social.

– Remember you must address both similarities and differences in your thesis as it relates to the question.

Step 5• Outline your Essay

– First come up with your 3 body thesis • The body thesis is very important. It ties the reader and

your evidence back to the main thesis. This allows you to get the most points possible for having appropriate evidence.

• For the body thesis repeat one of your rule of 3 from your main thesis. Use your key words again (i.e., similar/different, political, cultural, economic).

• Make sure you have at least 1 similarity and 1 difference.• It should be broad enough that you can find enough

evidence, yet narrow enough to address the question.• Make sure it ties back to the thesis, repeat your key

words from your main thesis.

Step 5 (continued)• Next come up with evidence to complete your body

paragraphs. – For your body evidence use other words to describe the characteristic

that is more specific, and try to get at least 3 details about it.• Economic….. Trade, marketplace, agriculture• Social……family hierarchy, woman’s roles, religion, class structure• Political…… government style, revolutionary process, laws

– Try to change the words to make a strong statement about what you are going to prove.

• Difference– But, however, although, though in contrast, alternatively, transformed

• Similarity– Since, moreover, similarity, as well as, still, likewise, therefore

• Make sure to end your body paragraph has an analysis of why your similarity or difference evidence happened, including world historical context. – What caused these things to happen in the society?– How does what is going on in this society relate to what is happening

elsewhere around the word during this time period?

Step 6• Write the Essay

• Now write the essay by following your outline– Remember your evidence must tie back to the question and

your thesis on how the societies are similar or different.– Have at least two examples of evidence for each body

thesis.– Compare the two societies directly in the same sentence.– After your evidence include your analysis which explains

why the evidence happened and how it relates to your thesis. It may be part of your evidence sentence or a separate sentence following it. Remember to include some historical context.

• Use specific wording; – “The reason for this difference was because.– “This similarity occurred because of ….– “An analysis of the context in which this difference occurred shows it

happened because…

Comparative Essay Outline

• 1) Thesis (try to use 1 detailed sentence). – Remember to restate the question as a statement , then use the rule of 3 for your blueprint

• 2 similarities and 1 difference or• 1 similarity and 2 differences

• 2) Body 1 Thesis (1st of your 3, either a similarity or difference)– Evidence from societies showing a similarity or difference.– Evidence from societies showing a similarity or difference.– Evidence from societies showing a similarity or difference.– Commentary to analyze why the societies are similarity or different using historical context.

• 3) Body 2 Thesis (2nd of your 3, either a similarity or difference)– Evidence from societies showing a similarity or difference.– Evidence from societies showing a similarity or difference.– Commentary to analyze why the societies are similarity or different using historical context.

• 4) Body 3 Thesis (3rd of your 3, either a similarity or difference)– Evidence from societies showing a similarity or difference.– Evidence from societies showing a similarity or difference.– Evidence from societies showing a similarity or difference.– Evidence from societies showing a similarity or difference.– Commentary to analyze why the societies are similarity or different using historical context.

• 5) Conclusion (restate thesis in one sentence)

Step 7

• Conclusion• Finish your essay with a concluding paragraph.

• Like your thesis try to keep it to one sentence.

• Simply restate your thesis in different words.

• This is your insurance policy, your backup to insure you get you point for a good thesis.

• A conclusion is also part of the expanded core points.

Step 8

• Proofread your Essay– When you finish take time to look back over your

essay.– Recheck your rubric (step 1) to make sure you hit

all your basic core points.• Don’t be afraid to add things in the margin if you have to.

– Correct any spelling or grammatical errors you find.

Final Advice

• Think before you write– Make notes, jot ideas, create an outline– The more work you do before you write, the neater

and more organized your essay will be

• Write neatly, if you don’t know how to spell a word choose another

• Watch your time– Spending too much time on any essay could mean

running out of time or rushing another.– Remember each essay counts equally, don’t skip

or shortchange any of the three essays.