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Comparative Essay

Comparative Writing

What is the purpose?

Making comparisons is a huge part of understanding world history

This essay typically involves how two societies responded to a major theme or event

Comparing means finding both similarities AND dissimilarities

Major Themes tested on the comparative essay include How different societies responded to events, to

each other and to other societies How different societies changed – or didn’t – in

response to an event How different societies developed How different societies responded to new

technologies or new ideas

What is expected of you

Write a thesis that makes your major points of comparison

Answer all parts of the question Make at least three, direct, relevant

comparisons of the given societies Analyze relevant reasons for similarities

and/or differences

What does that mean?

You are going to write an essay with a thesis, support that thesis by referencing relevant history, and compare and contrast as the question indicates, making sure you include not only similarities but also differences

Are you still unsure of what to do – let’s break it down step-by-step

How is the Comparative Essay scored? Look at your handout Basic Core

0 – 7 points You must earn ALL 7 basic core points in order to earn

expanded core points In 2 areas of the basic core it is possible to earn only PARTIAL

credit (1 point instead of 2 points)

Expanded Core Note that several items in the expanded core are simply more

detailed versions of the basic core TO get an 8 or 9, focus on doing a great job on the elements

that are in both the basic and expanded core

So what first?

Take about 5-10 minutes to plan your essay before you actually begin writing

Remember, the more time you spend planning, the less time you will spend writing and the better organized your writing will be!!

What do the directions mean? Step 1 – Process the question; dissect the

promptYou need to know EXACTLY what you are

being asked to doCircle the key phrases as you process the

questionYou must address all parts of the question

What do the directions mean?Step 1 continued Let’s look at an example:

The first civilizations all developed near River Valleys. From these early civilizations, many others have emerged. Compare and contrast the political, economic, and social aspects of TWO of the following River Valley Civilizations. Be sure to address the impact they had on any civilization which appeared later in history.

China India Mesopotamia Egypt

What do the directions mean?Step 1 continued What key phrases did you circle? Your list should include

The two River Valley civilizations you want to focus on

Compare and Contrast Political aspectsCompare and Contrast Economic aspectsCompare and Contrast Social aspectsDiscuss the impact on a society which

emerged later in history

What do the directions mean?Step 1 continued What are you being asked to do?

Compare and contrast the political, economic, and social aspects of TWO of the following River Valley Civilizations

Discuss the influences one river valley civilization had on those which developed later in history

What do the directions mean? Step 2 – Build a framework

The purpose of this is to both provide you with an outline for an essay and to ensure that you don’t miss any part of the question

Using the example from Step 1, begin by choosing two river valley civilizations as instructed then create a chart (see next slide)

Or use the Chart handout provided

What do the directions mean?Step 2 continued Your chart should include:

A column for each of the 2 river valley civilizations

A row Political aspectsA row for Economic aspectsA row for Social aspectsUnderline the similarities Circle the differences

What do the directions mean? Step 3 – Build Your Essay

Fill in the chartBe sure to enter both the information about

each segment AND the evidence to support each answer

Doing so will help you write your essay – the better you plan here, the easier the writing will be

What do the directions mean? Step 4 – Write your essay

Once you’ve completed your chart, its time to start writing

Planning is CRITICAL – the more you plan, the less time it will actually take you to write

You have approx. 40 min for this essay, if you spend 15 min planning, you should easily be able to write the essay in the remaining 25 minutes

What do the directions mean?Step 4 continued Your thesis is critical and must be supported by

facts Make sure you have an analytical thesis that

includes both the focus of your essay and WHY you believe your claim to be true Answer the question by including key phrases from

the question Support each of your assertions with some

introductory evidence (save the details for your body paragraphs)

Transition from the thesis to the body of the essay

Thesis

Must be in 1st paragraph Must be in consecutive sentences must have examples

Bad Thesis Example thesis 1: Ancient Egypt and ancient

Mesopotamia had many similarities, but also some differences. (Example of an unacceptable thesis. Why?)

Example thesis 2: Ancient Egypt and ancient Mesopotamia had similar economics and religion, but differed in politics. (Example of an unacceptable thesis. Why?)

Good Thesis Example thesis 3: Ancient Egypt and

ancient Mesopotamia had similar characteristics economically and socially due to a base in agriculture, but differed politically because the pharaohs were more powerful than kings. (Why ?)

Direct Comparison

The comparison MUST be in the same sentence

Mesopotamian and Egyptians were similar economically because both depended primarily on agriculture

Direct Contrast

The contrast MUST be in the same sentence

Mesopotamia and Egypt differed politically because Mesopotamia developed a law code but Egypt did not.

Essay Structure #1

1st paragraph- Introduction with thesis 2nd paragraph- Similarities and evidence of

similarities 3rd paragraph- Differences and evidence

of differences 4th paragraph- restate thesis (discuss

impact on later societies)

Essay Structure #2 1st paragraph- Introduction with thesis 2nd paragraph- Similarities and Differences of

Political aspects 3rd paragraph- Similarities and Differences of

Economic aspects 4th paragraph- Similarities and Differences of

Social aspects 5th restate thesis and Evidence of Similarities and

Differences (discuss impact on later societies)

The essay

Make sure you address each portion of the question

Support your claims with evidence Pick the structure that is most conducive

to writing the strongest essay based on your information and prompt