How To Write the Compare How To Write the Compare and Contrast Essay and Contrast Essay AP WORLD HISTORY AP WORLD HISTORY

AP World History Test AP World History Test FormatFormat

Multiple Choice – 70 questions in 55 minutesMultiple Choice – 70 questions in 55 minutes

Writing: 2 hours, 10 minutesWriting: 2 hours, 10 minutes Document Based Question (DBQ) – 10 minutes Document Based Question (DBQ) – 10 minutes

reading, 40 minutes writingreading, 40 minutes writing Change and Continuity Over Time – 40 minutesChange and Continuity Over Time – 40 minutes Compare and Contrast – 40 minutes Compare and Contrast – 40 minutes

Step One: Read the Step One: Read the QuestionQuestion

Generally, you will be asked to analyze a broad Generally, you will be asked to analyze a broad historical issue or issues for two areas of the worldhistorical issue or issues for two areas of the world

Identify the TASKS and TERMS of the questionIdentify the TASKS and TERMS of the question TASKS: What is the question asking you to DO?TASKS: What is the question asking you to DO? TERMS: What SUBJECT(S) do you need to TALK TERMS: What SUBJECT(S) do you need to TALK

ABOUT in your essay?ABOUT in your essay?

Step 1.5: Make Your Step 1.5: Make Your Selection when Possible Selection when Possible

Sometimes the question will give you a choice of topic(s) Sometimes the question will give you a choice of topic(s) and/or region(s)and/or region(s)

Make your selectionMake your selection You may be given choicesYou may be given choices Pick the areas you know the most facts aboutPick the areas you know the most facts about If the questions picks the region(s), but allows you to If the questions picks the region(s), but allows you to

choose the topics, you should always choose THREE choose the topics, you should always choose THREE topics/categories of analysis (Think SPICE)topics/categories of analysis (Think SPICE)

Be sure to read the question carefully, as it may provide Be sure to read the question carefully, as it may provide you with all of the tasks and terms that you need to answer you with all of the tasks and terms that you need to answer the question without making any choices. the question without making any choices.

Sample Questions Sample Questions

With Choice (Categories With Choice (Categories AND Region):AND Region):

Within the period from Within the period from 1450 to 1900, compare 1450 to 1900, compare the processes (e.g. the processes (e.g. political, social, political, social, economic) of empire economic) of empire building in the Spanish building in the Spanish Empire with the empire-Empire with the empire-building processes in building processes in ONE of the following:ONE of the following: The Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire The Russian Empire The Russian Empire

With Choice With Choice (Region) (Region)

Compare demographic Compare demographic and environmental effects and environmental effects of the Columbian of the Columbian Exchange on the Americas Exchange on the Americas with the Columbia with the Columbia Exchange’s demographic Exchange’s demographic and environmental effects and environmental effects on ONE of the following on ONE of the following regions between 1492 and regions between 1492 and 1750.1750. AfricaAfrica AsiaAsia EuropeEurope

Sample Question (No Sample Question (No Choice)Choice)

For the period from 1500 to 1830, compare For the period from 1500 to 1830, compare North American racial ideologies and their North American racial ideologies and their effects on society with Latin effects on society with Latin American/Caribbean racial ideologies and American/Caribbean racial ideologies and their effects on society. their effects on society.

Practice Identifying Practice Identifying TASKS and TERMSTASKS and TERMS

Analyze political, economic, Analyze political, economic, and cultural similarities and and cultural similarities and differences between Egypt differences between Egypt

and Mesopotamia during the and Mesopotamia during the River Valley period. River Valley period.

Step #2: Brainstorm Step #2: Brainstorm Essential IdeasEssential Ideas

Before writing your essay, try to list as much as you can Before writing your essay, try to list as much as you can about the terms/topics addressed in the questionabout the terms/topics addressed in the question

Create categories of analysis from your list of facts (IF Create categories of analysis from your list of facts (IF they give you a choice)they give you a choice)

Your knowledge should dictate your choice of region(s) Your knowledge should dictate your choice of region(s) and/or topic(s)and/or topic(s)

You need to be able to identify You need to be able to identify at least at least THREE specific THREE specific facts or pieces of evidence facts or pieces of evidence per category of analysis per category of analysis

Brainstorming should take Brainstorming should take no moreno more than five minutes than five minutes

Step 3: Develop Thesis Step 3: Develop Thesis and Introduction Paragraph and Introduction Paragraph

Your thesis must respond to the question directly by Your thesis must respond to the question directly by telling the reader why/how you will complete the task by telling the reader why/how you will complete the task by using the terms of the questionusing the terms of the question

Can be more than one sentenceCan be more than one sentence

Make sure to address ALL parts of the questionsMake sure to address ALL parts of the questions

Step 3: Elements of Step 3: Elements of ThesisThesis

All Thesis Statements must include All Thesis Statements must include at least:at least: Time PeriodTime Period Region(s)Region(s) Categories of Analysis/TopicsCategories of Analysis/Topics Explanation of a similarity or a difference for Explanation of a similarity or a difference for

EACH of the categories of analysis using EACH of the categories of analysis using specific detailsspecific details

Sample Thesis Outline Sample Thesis Outline

When analyzing When analyzing (thematic category)(thematic category), , (thematic (thematic category) category) and and (thematic category)(thematic category) in in (region)(region) and and ((region)region) during/between during/between (time period)(time period),, there are there are many similarities and differences. With regards to many similarities and differences. With regards to (thematic category #1),(thematic category #1), a ( a (S/D) S/D) is (is (identify S/D), identify S/D), due due to (to (brief explanation).brief explanation). Regarding ( Regarding (thematic category thematic category #2), #2), a (a (S/D)S/D) is ( is (identify S/D)identify S/D), due to (, due to (brief brief explanation)explanation). Finally, when examining (. Finally, when examining (thematic thematic category #3)category #3), (, (S/D)S/D) is ( is (similar/different)similar/different) because because ((brief explanation).brief explanation).

Step 3: What Step 3: What Not to Do Not to Do in a Thesisin a Thesis

DO NOT SIMPLY RESTATE THE QUESTIONDO NOT SIMPLY RESTATE THE QUESTION

Avoid Flowery Language or vague generalities – get Avoid Flowery Language or vague generalities – get right to the point in your thesisright to the point in your thesis

Avoid giving historical background unless absolutely Avoid giving historical background unless absolutely necessary necessary

Practice: Identifying Practice: Identifying Strong, Blah, and Weak Strong, Blah, and Weak

Thesis StatementsThesis Statements

Analyze political, economic, and cultural Analyze political, economic, and cultural similarities and differences between Egypt similarities and differences between Egypt and Mesopotamia during the River Valley and Mesopotamia during the River Valley

period. period.

Early River Valley civilizations have both Early River Valley civilizations have both similarities and differences. similarities and differences.

Early River Valley civilizations have both Early River Valley civilizations have both similarities and differences. Both have rivers, similarities and differences. Both have rivers, however they differ in many aspects. however they differ in many aspects.

Egypt and Mesopotamia have both Egypt and Mesopotamia have both similarities and differences. Both early river similarities and differences. Both early river valley civilizations have similar environmental valley civilizations have similar environmental origins, however aspects such as religion, origins, however aspects such as religion, economics, and politics developed differently economics, and politics developed differently in each civilization.in each civilization.

During the period of river valley civilizations, During the period of river valley civilizations, Egypt and Mesopotamia shared many Egypt and Mesopotamia shared many political, economic, and cultural similarities, political, economic, and cultural similarities, while also remaining different in several ways while also remaining different in several ways throughout the same categories. throughout the same categories. Economically, both relied on trade for Economically, both relied on trade for essential items. Politically, however, Egypt essential items. Politically, however, Egypt was centralized and Mesopotamia was centralized and Mesopotamia decentralized due to differing geographic decentralized due to differing geographic features. Finally, their cultural traditions features. Finally, their cultural traditions differed due to their differing environments. differed due to their differing environments.

Analyze political, economic, and Analyze political, economic, and cultural similarities and differences cultural similarities and differences between Egypt and Mesopotamia between Egypt and Mesopotamia during the River Valley period. during the River Valley period.

Analyze political, economic, and Analyze political, economic, and cultural similarities and differences cultural similarities and differences between Egypt and Mesopotamia between Egypt and Mesopotamia during the River Valley period. during the River Valley period.

Egypt and Mesopotamia developed both similarly and Egypt and Mesopotamia developed both similarly and differently during the river valley period, particularly differently during the river valley period, particularly when examining their economic, political, and cultural when examining their economic, political, and cultural traditions. In early history, Egypt and Mesopotamia traditions. In early history, Egypt and Mesopotamia shared similar polytheistic beliefs that were often shared similar polytheistic beliefs that were often connected to their surrounding geography, although connected to their surrounding geography, although differences in this geography led to varying differences in this geography led to varying interpretations on the nature of the gods and the interpretations on the nature of the gods and the afterlife. Economically, both civilizations traded with afterlife. Economically, both civilizations traded with surrounding regions, not only for necessary goods, but surrounding regions, not only for necessary goods, but also luxury goods, indicating both civilizations’ also luxury goods, indicating both civilizations’ economic strength. Finally, while both employed economic strength. Finally, while both employed monarchical governments, Mesopotamian government monarchical governments, Mesopotamian government was decentralized, whereas Egyptian government was was decentralized, whereas Egyptian government was centralized. Just as geography determined religious centralized. Just as geography determined religious beliefs, so too did it factor into the political decisions beliefs, so too did it factor into the political decisions and organization of these early civilizations. and organization of these early civilizations.

Step 4: Body ParagraphsStep 4: Body Paragraphs

All parts of the question must be addressed in your body paragraphsAll parts of the question must be addressed in your body paragraphs

You need to address similarities AND differences within EACH You need to address similarities AND differences within EACH category of analysis category of analysis

You must ALWAYS explain WHY or HOW the regions are similar or You must ALWAYS explain WHY or HOW the regions are similar or different different

RULE OF THREE:RULE OF THREE: Each essay should have THREE categories of analysis, unless otherwise Each essay should have THREE categories of analysis, unless otherwise

notednoted Each essay should have Each essay should have at least at least THREE body paragraphs, one for each THREE body paragraphs, one for each

category of analysiscategory of analysis Each body paragraph should have Each body paragraph should have at least at least THREE similarities/differences THREE similarities/differences

identifiedidentified Each body paragraph needs to have Each body paragraph needs to have at least at least THREE pieces of specific THREE pieces of specific

evidence to support the similarities/differencesevidence to support the similarities/differences

Step 4: Body Step 4: Body ParagraphsParagraphs

Each body paragraph MUST have a topic sentenceEach body paragraph MUST have a topic sentence

It should briefly restate (in different words) what It should briefly restate (in different words) what you said in the thesisyou said in the thesis

Good Example of a Topic Sentence:Good Example of a Topic Sentence: Egypt and Mesopotamia shared many political Egypt and Mesopotamia shared many political

similarities, such as monarchies, but also many similarities, such as monarchies, but also many differences, such as centralized and decentralized differences, such as centralized and decentralized governments. governments.

Bad Example of a Topic Sentence:Bad Example of a Topic Sentence: Egypt and Mesopotamia had many political Egypt and Mesopotamia had many political

similarities and differences. similarities and differences.

Step 4: Direct Step 4: Direct Comparisons in Body Comparisons in Body

ParagraphsParagraphs You must have You must have at leastat least one direct comparison one direct comparison

in each body paragraph. in each body paragraph.

The best essays have multiple direct The best essays have multiple direct comparisons in each body paragraphcomparisons in each body paragraph

Direct Comparison: referencing BOTH Direct Comparison: referencing BOTH civilizations in one sentence, as related to a civilizations in one sentence, as related to a specific similarity or difference specific similarity or difference

Direct Comparison Direct Comparison ExamplesExamples

Poor Direct Comparison:Poor Direct Comparison: Egypt and Mesopotamia shared several political Egypt and Mesopotamia shared several political

similarities.similarities.

Slightly Better Direct Comparison:Slightly Better Direct Comparison: Egypt and Mesopotamia were similar because both Egypt and Mesopotamia were similar because both

had kings. had kings.

Best Direct Comparison:Best Direct Comparison: Egypt and Mesopotamia both had kings at the Egypt and Mesopotamia both had kings at the

center of their government in order to provide center of their government in order to provide central leadership and clear laws for both regions. central leadership and clear laws for both regions. However, while Egypt believed their Pharaohs were However, while Egypt believed their Pharaohs were gods, people in Mesopotamia believed that gods gods, people in Mesopotamia believed that gods only gave kings the right to rule. only gave kings the right to rule.

Step 4: Analysis in Body Step 4: Analysis in Body ParagraphsParagraphs

You must always explain WHY or HOW the You must always explain WHY or HOW the regions are similar or different regions are similar or different for every for every exampleexample that you provide. that you provide.

If you cannot do this, do not include the If you cannot do this, do not include the example in your body paragraphs. example in your body paragraphs.

You can combine the identification and You can combine the identification and explanation into one sentence, or make it 2+ explanation into one sentence, or make it 2+ sentences. sentences.

Unacceptable Body Unacceptable Body ParagraphParagraph

Egypt and Mesopotamia were politically Egypt and Mesopotamia were politically similar and different in many ways. Egypt similar and different in many ways. Egypt and Mesopotamia both had kings. Egypt and Mesopotamia both had kings. Egypt believed its king, known as a pharaoh, was a believed its king, known as a pharaoh, was a god. Egypt was centralized, but Mesopotamia god. Egypt was centralized, but Mesopotamia was decentralized. Egypt was not invaded as was decentralized. Egypt was not invaded as often as Mesopotamia. often as Mesopotamia.

Better Body ParagraphBetter Body Paragraph

Egypt and Mesopotamia shared many political similarities, such as Egypt and Mesopotamia shared many political similarities, such as monarchies, but also many differences, such as centralized and decentralized monarchies, but also many differences, such as centralized and decentralized governments. Egypt and Mesopotamia both had kings at the center of their governments. Egypt and Mesopotamia both had kings at the center of their government in order to provide central leadership and clear laws for both government in order to provide central leadership and clear laws for both regions. However, while Egypt believed their Pharaohs were gods, people in regions. However, while Egypt believed their Pharaohs were gods, people in Mesopotamia believed that gods only gave kings the right to rule. This, in Mesopotamia believed that gods only gave kings the right to rule. This, in large part, was due to the more positive beliefs attributed to Egyptian gods, large part, was due to the more positive beliefs attributed to Egyptian gods, as compared to Mesopotamia’s more negative views on religion. Both as compared to Mesopotamia’s more negative views on religion. Both governments employed bureaucracies to implement the laws the king, governments employed bureaucracies to implement the laws the king, making it easier to maintain control. Finally, while they shared many political making it easier to maintain control. Finally, while they shared many political features, one major difference was that Egypt had a more centralized features, one major difference was that Egypt had a more centralized government, whereas Mesopotamia was more decentralized as city-states. government, whereas Mesopotamia was more decentralized as city-states. Egypt’s centralization is because of its isolation and protection provided by Egypt’s centralization is because of its isolation and protection provided by the Sahara Desert and Nile River cataracts. However, Mesopotamia has no the Sahara Desert and Nile River cataracts. However, Mesopotamia has no such geographical features, thus leaving them more vulnerable to outside such geographical features, thus leaving them more vulnerable to outside attack and in greater need of smaller, more spread out governments that can attack and in greater need of smaller, more spread out governments that can respond at any time. respond at any time.

Step 5: ConclusionStep 5: Conclusion

Every essay MUST have a conclusion Every essay MUST have a conclusion paragraph – you will lose points in my class if paragraph – you will lose points in my class if you do not have a conclusion paragraph that you do not have a conclusion paragraph that includes includes at least:at least: Restatement of thesis in new wordsRestatement of thesis in new words Brief explanation of an example from each Brief explanation of an example from each

category to demonstrate similarities and category to demonstrate similarities and differences differences

General TipsGeneral Tips

All essays are worth 100 points All essays are worth 100 points

Always Remember the Rule of ThreeAlways Remember the Rule of Three

All Essays written at home must be typed, All Essays written at home must be typed, double-spaced, with 1” margins, and 12-point double-spaced, with 1” margins, and 12-point fontfont

Late essays lose 10% points per day. Essays Late essays lose 10% points per day. Essays later than 2 days will receive a 0; missing later than 2 days will receive a 0; missing essays will result in an incomplete in Infinite essays will result in an incomplete in Infinite Campus until you submit itCampus until you submit it