AP WORLD HISTORY 9 - Forest Hills High School



AP WORLD HISTORY 9 September 22, 2012

Dr. Afxendiou Unit 1: Introduction and Period 1

INTRODUCING THE COMPARATIVE ESSAY

The Comparative question, also called ‘the compare and contrast’, asks what is the same and what is different. It requires a task familiar to historians and non-historians alike: analyzing similarities and differences. You are all used to making comparisons—whether it is comparing teachers or comparing video games. The AP World History Comparative essay focuses on similarities and differences between regions.

How do you compare and contrast? First you have to really know the two items you are comparing, whether they are foods, games or regions. You all know intuitively how to compare; now you have to do it consciously. You do this by following these steps:

1. Make a list of the characteristics of each item to be compared.

2. Create a Venn Diagram using your list.

3. Complete a comparative essay organizer.

4. Write your introduction.

PRACTICE TASK

1. Look at the items on the screen and make a list of their characteristics.

|Item #1 |Item #2 |

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2. Add your characteristics to the Venn Diagram:

3. Complete the comparative organizer:

|Comparisons (Similarities) |Example |Analysis: Why is this important? |

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|Contrasts (Differences) |Examples? |Analysis: Why is this |

| | |Important? |

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4. Write your introduction:

Tell the reader what items you are examining and give a thesis statement that shows the comparison. Your thesis should follow the “Although” format. Since we will be following the three body paragraphs essay format we will start with the item you will use one of (one similarity or one difference) and go to the item that you will use two of (two similarities or two differences). Now complete a thesis using the format below:

Although…..are similar/different in , they are similar/different in and .

Now try it. Write a thesis for an essay comparing chocolate and apple pie.

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In writing the comparative essay there are certain terms and phrases which are very useful in allowing us to show that we are dealing with similarities and differences and the reasons for those. Use the table below when writing your comparative essays and are searching for the just the right words.

|Phrases that Show Comparison |Phrases that Show Contrast |Phrases that Show Causation |

|Similar to…, |One difference between… |One reason that explains why…was… |

|Both…, |Unlike…where…, |One cause of…was… |

|Like…, |In contrast to…, |One effect of… |

|Compared to…, |Whereas…, |Because of… |

|In the same way…, |Though…, |Consequently… |

|Analogous to…, | |As a result… |

|One connection between…, | | |







NAME: _________________________________________ ___ DATE _______________ PER _______

Scoring Guide for the Comparative Essay – REWRITE

Please turn this sheet in with your rewrite and your original essay.

|BASIC CORE |Points |EXPANDED CORE |Points |

|1. Has an acceptable thesis. | |Expanded beyond the basic core of 1 to 7 points. A student MUST earn | |

| |1 |seven points in the basic core area BEFORE earning points from the | |

| | |expanded core area. Students may earn from 0 to 2 points by doing any of | |

| | |the following: | |

| | | | |

| | |Has a clear, analytical and comprehensive thesis | |

| | |Addresses all parts of the question (as relevant): | |

| | |Comparisons, connections, themes, interactions, content | |

| | |Provides ample historical evidence to substantiate thesis | |

| | |Relates comparisons to larger global context. | |

| | |Makes several direct comparisons consistently between or among |0-2 |

| | |civilizations. | |

| | |Consistently analyzes the causes and effects of relevant similarities and | |

| | |differences. | |

| | | | |

| | |Conversion Chart | |

| | | | |

| | |9 | |

| | |8 | |

| | |7 | |

| | |6 | |

| | |5 | |

| | |4 | |

| | |3 | |

| | |2 | |

| | |1* | |

| | |0 | |

| | | | |

| | |100 | |

| | |98 | |

| | |94 | |

| | |90 | |

| | |82 | |

| | |72 | |

| | |65 | |

| | |60 | |

| | |55 | |

| | |50 | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | |Original Essay Score = __________/100 | |

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| | |New Essay Score = __________/100 | |

| | | | |

| | |* If your 1 point was from the thesis statement your grade is an automatic| |

| | |65. | |

|2. Addresses all parts of the question, | | | |

|though not necessarily evenly or |2 | | |

|thoroughly. | | | |

| | | | |

|(Addresses most parts of the question; for| | | |

|example, deals with differences but not | | | |

|similarities, discusses criteria for | | | |

|civilizations, but not similarities and/or|(1) | | |

|differences) | | | |

|3. Substantiates the thesis with | | | |

|appropriate and detailed evidence. |2 | | |

| | | | |

|(Partially substantiates thesis with | | | |

|appropriate historical evidence although | | | |

|may lack supporting details.) |(1) | | |

|4. Makes three relevant, direct | | | |

|comparisons between or among |1 | | |

|civilizations. | | | |

|5. Analyzes THREE reasons for similarity | | | |

|or difference identified in a direct |1 | | |

|comparison. | | | |

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|SUBTOTAL |7 | | |

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Item 2

Item 1

Both

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