How to Write the Essay!
To evaluate your ability to analyze historical changes and continuities that have shaped events, social, political, economic developments in history and ability to gauge your analysis of global processes.
This is really a high-level analysis of history.
What do they Mean?
This essay question deals specifically with analysis of continuities and changes over time covering at least one of the periods (or over a significant period of time) in the course outline. It addresses, for example, technology, trade, culture, migrations, or environment.
The continuity and change over time questions require analysis of process and explanation of causation with specific examples.
ChangeRecognize it as it occurs in history.Identify & Understand the causes of change
ContinuityRecognize factors which remain the same throughout an entire period
Identify & Understand factors which allow this to continue
Must discuss, utilize concrete detail and analyze changes that occurred relevant to the prompt and correctly!
If the prompt discusses command terms (social and political) you need to focus on political and social changes.
If your prompt is more vague, you need to think of aspects to base your analysis
By the end of the course we will have regional CCOT charts!
The prompt also asks you to address continuities, generally these are patterns or tendencies that remain the same for years and years.
You need to have concrete detail (facts) to back up your continuities.
How to read the question
Read the questionDetermine
“What” – topic “Who” – society or region “When” – parameter of dates
List the ContinuitiesBuild a timeline for Change
list events for the topic Beginning, middle, end
Analyze the political transformation that occurred from 622 CE through 1258 in Western Asia and the Muslim World.
Draw your Essay Circle on your Paper!
Setting up Clear Wrting
ContinuitiesContinuity #1Continuity #2Continuity #3
ChangesBeginning Date End Date
622 CE 1258 CE
Now Use the One on your Own Paper
How to Write Clearly
You can choose several ways to organize the essay. Period Approach▪ Beginning▪ Middle▪ End
Topic Approach▪ Political▪ Social▪ Technological, etc
I would choose Period approach for
the Changes and add a Continuity Paragraph to the essay.
While _________ stayed the same, in the period from _______ to __________,
_________ changed from __________ to
____________ and _________ changed from _________ to __________,
This is a sample….not the best thesis!!
Unacceptable: Islam as a political structure both changed and
stayed the same during this period. Islam was the main religion until today.
Acceptable From 600-1258 Islam became the main focus
for politics in Western Asia and North Africa, however it went from unity to fragmentation.
Excellent: While Islam became the foundation for political
structure in Western Asia, North Africa and Al-Andalus from 600-1258, it varied from unity to fragmentation due to fractures from power legitimization and takeover.
CHANGE WORDS CONTINUITY WORDS
now beforegradually until that timeLater up to that timeEventually formerly immediately as things evolvedat once in the centuryat this point over timeNext ironicallyafterward previouslysoon
carry on persistentProceed sustainedStay enduringPersist ongoingRemain constantUnceasing sustainedPreserve maintainedRetain uphold
Clearly Writing
Background Information Write 2-3 sentence to set up the time
periodThesis
Put your excellent thesis at the end of the paragraph
Use your change and continuity words
Change Paragraph Topic sentence Set up characteristics at beginning of time
period▪ Use specific examples and dates - evidence
Describe examples of significant changes, turning points, or developments▪ Use specific examples and dates - evidence
Analyze (give reasons) why each of these changes occurred
Set up characteristics at end of period▪ Use specific examples and dates - evidence
Describe the global context
Continuity Paragraph Topic sentence Give specific examples of continuities
(related to topic) in the time period Give reasons (analyze) why these
continuities occurred Describe the global context for the
continuities
Restate ThesisShow that you have proved your
case Summarize the basic trends of the time
period as related to the question
Proof that you Wrote Clearly
1 ptHas an acceptable thesis.
Must be explicitly stated in the introduction or conclusion ofthe essay.
May appear as 1 sentence or as multiple (contiguous) sentences.
May not be split among separated sentences, or a mere restatement of the question.
2 pts – 1 pt Addresses all parts of the question, though
not necessarily evenly or thoroughly For 2 Points: Address BOTH change AND
continuity.
Addresses most parts of the question: for example, addresses change but not continuity.)
1 pt For 1 Point: Address EITHER change OR continuity.
2pts Substantiates thesis with appropriate
historical evidence. 2 pts Provides 6 pieces of accurate evidence of
change and/or continuity. evidence for continuity or change must be
related to topic of question at least 1 piece of evidence must be a
continuity, and at least 1 must be a change.
1 ptPartially substantiates thesis with
appropriate historical evidence. 1 pt Provides 3 pieces of accurate evidence
of change and/or continuity. evidence for continuity or change must
be related to question topic.
1 pt. Uses relevant world historical context
effectively to explain continuity and change over time. 1 pt Provides accurate and relevant world
historical context for either change or continuity.
This context may relate to broad world historical patterns or to specific global historical developments.
1 pt. Analyzes the process of continuity and change
over time. 1 pt Analyze (with accuracy and specificity) the causes
and/or effects of either change or continuity during the time period.
Analysis may NOT count as the thesis point.
Analysis “Cue” Words because caused / caused by led to came from in order to due to
Expands beyond basic core of 1–7 points.
The basic core score of 7 must be achieved before a student can earn expanded core points
Has a clear, analytical, and comprehensive thesis.
Addresses all parts of the question (as relevant): global context, chronology, causation, change, continuity, effects, content
Provides ample historical evidence to substantiate thesis.
Provides links with relevant ideas, events and trends in an innovative way
Addresses all parts of the question evenly
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