I. Essay Writing Tutorial

A. 3 “FRQ” ESSAYS1. DBQ (Document–based Question):

Use ALL the docs!

2. CCOTChanges & Continuities!

3. COMPARE/CONTRASTSimilar & Different!

*each essay: 9 pts. each (7pts core; 2pts expanded)

B. Stuff to be sure of• MUST write in blue or black pen• Use PAST tense• NO pronouns (he, she, they, it)• Use key words (while, for example, however)

Common mistakes:

- Wrong region/time period- CCOT: not stating continuities or a “global context” pt.- C-C: Not making DIRECT comparisons- NOT ANSWERING THE QUESTION

C. The Prompt• Pick it apart• Subject? Object? Verb? Key words?

Example:

Compare the effect of colonization on Africa and India in the 16th-century.

Compare the development of Confucianism and Hinduism during the Ancient and Classical periods.

D. The Thesis Paragraph1. Use key words: “differences”, “similarities”,

“changes”, “continuities”, “effects of”, “caused by”

2. 3–5 sentences long

Compare & contrast Egypt to Shang China socially and politically.Is this a good thesis?

Egypt & Shang China were similar & different in religion, social structure & politics.

E. How to write a thesis:Your thesis statement must:

1) DIRECTLY ANSWER THE QUESTION!

2) take a position on the subject

3) briefly outline what will be discussed in essay

4) can be in intro or conclusion…

Prompt:“For several hundred years the Mongols ruled over both Russia and China. After casting off Mongol domination, both areas began a process of political and cultural recovery. Compare and contrast these processes in Russia and China.”

HORRIBLE: Russia and China both gained freedom from Mongol domination.

AWFUL: The recovery of Russia and China after the Mongols had many similarities and differences.

BETTER: When Russia and China recovered from Mongol domination they had

similar political goals but different cultural goals.

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.

Question:

How did the political system that emerged during the Zhou Dynasty heavily influence Chinese society?

II. The Essays

A. The D.B.Q.1. ANSWER THE QUESTION BASED ON THE DOCUMENTS!2. USE ALL & REFERENCE all DOCUMENTS3. Group docs in 3’s by Point of Views4. What’s the missing info or voice??? Additional doc

needed???– women– poor– who “lost”– workers– ethnic Groups

5. Expanded core: outside facts, POV, or & global context

DBQ Format:1. Thesis Paragraph (3-5 sentences)

2. Body Paragraph #1– Topic statement– Analyze 3 Docs (refer to #!)– POV? Additional doc?

3. Body #2– Topic statement, analyze docs, POV

4. Body #3– Topic statement, analyze docs, POV

Additional doc practice:

So any additional document would have to apply to

attitudes toward technology…

DBQ Practice:

1. Start with thesis…2. Include dates inside the time frame.3. Read docs and clump into economic, social

or political

Attack the documents: look for common issues & factors

Factors, factors?PEACE or nationalism???

FACTORS?Nationalism or the economy!!

ECONOMICS!!!

Example of additional doc:

Relate the factors to the Olympics

Another prompt

So any additional document would have to apply to attitudes toward technology…

Which counts for pt.?

B. The CCOT1. Thesis Paragraph (discuss both changes & continuities!)

2. Body Paragraph #1– Change statement– Fact(s)– Analysis! (“The effect of… caused…”)

3. Body #2– Continuity statement– Fact(s)– Analysis!

4. Body #3– “Global Context” Conclusion

Look closely at the prompt

1. Topic?2. Time Period?3. What changed?4. Stayed the same?

1. Thesis paragraph (discuss similarities & differences)

2. Body Paragraph #1: – Similarity statement– 2 facts– Analysis statement…why?

3. Body Paragraph #2:– Difference statement– 2 facts– Analysis statement…why?

4. Body Paragraph #3:– Expanded Core conclusion (global context, cause/effect,

change over time)

C. The Compare/Contrast

Tackle the question