The document provides guidance on writing the Comparative Analysis (CA) essay for the AP World History exam. It explains that the CA essay asks students to compare developments or changes across two or more societies and provides examples of past prompts. It offers tips for analyzing the prompt, pre-writing using a T-chart, writing an introductory thesis paragraph followed by body paragraphs comparing similarities and differences with evidence, and directly comparing the societies. A rubric is also included for scoring the CA essay.
The document provides guidance on writing the Comparative Analysis (CA) essay for the AP World History exam. It explains that the CA essay asks students to compare developments or changes across two or more societies and provides examples of past prompts. It offers tips for analyzing the prompt, pre-writing using a T-chart, writing an introductory thesis paragraph followed by body paragraphs comparing similarities and differences with evidence, and directly comparing the societies. A rubric is also included for scoring the CA essay.
The document provides guidance on writing the Comparative Analysis (CA) essay for the AP World History exam. It explains that the CA essay asks students to compare developments or changes across two or more societies and provides examples of past prompts. It offers tips for analyzing the prompt, pre-writing using a T-chart, writing an introductory thesis paragraph followed by body paragraphs comparing similarities and differences with evidence, and directly comparing the societies. A rubric is also included for scoring the CA essay.
The document provides guidance on writing the Comparative Analysis (CA) essay for the AP World History exam. It explains that the CA essay asks students to compare developments or changes across two or more societies and provides examples of past prompts. It offers tips for analyzing the prompt, pre-writing using a T-chart, writing an introductory thesis paragraph followed by body paragraphs comparing similarities and differences with evidence, and directly comparing the societies. A rubric is also included for scoring the CA essay.
The last type of free-response essay written for the AP World History exam is the Comparative Essay, which asks the student to focus on changes or developments across two or more regions, cultures, or societies. Generally, the prompt for the Comparative Essay will provide boundaries and time limits for the student to follow, and students may be able to choose comparison cases from among several options; beyond that, the student is free to incorporate whatever analysis and comparison s/he wishes. Some important things to remember: 1. You have a total of 40 minutes in which to write this essay, at least 5 minutes of which should be used for pre-writing. 2. These essays might include three different task words/phrases: (a) compare; (b) contrast; and (c): compare and contrast. For the purposes of the AP exam, the task work compare and the task phrase compare and contrast mean the same thing: for BOTH tasks, you will discuss and analyze both similarities AND differences. 3. Regardless of which word/phrase is used, you MUST remember what the main task is: to analyze. In order to gain full credit for the CA Essay, you MUST analyze the reasons why the similarities and/or differences you identified exist. Examples of Past Comparative Essay Prompts are: 1. Compare patterns and results of decolonization in Africa and India. 2. Pick two revolutions (Russian, Chinese, Cuban, Iranian) and compare their effects on the roles of women. 3. Compare and contrast the classical empires of Roman, Han, and Gupta. 4. Compare and contrast the decline of the three classical empires of Roman, Han, and Gupta. The suggestions below are intended to give you help on the process of writing: I. ANALYZE the question: (a) remember that both the word compare and the phrase compare and contrast mean you must include BOTH similarities and differences; (b) identify the time limits and phenomena required of the question; (c) identify the countries/regions being compared. II. PRE-WRITE: (a) create a T-chart where one column is similarities and one is differences, then brainstorm a list of similarities and differences in the specified phenomena for each of the regions (try to identify at least two similarities and at least two differences); (b) practice writing your thesis, be sure that your thesis specifies at least one similarity AND at least one difference in the required phenomena and that you address both regions specified in the prompt. III. WRITE: (a) include an introductory thesis paragraph which incorporates your pre-written thesis; (b) use your pre-writing to organize your writing; one suggestion is to incorporate two body paragraphs, one dealing with similarities and one with differences; (c) use at least one piece of specific historical evidence for each similarity/difference you identified; (d) to support be sure to make at least two direct comparison between the regions; and (e) make sure you analyze at least one of the the similarities/differences.
WHAP: AP Essays
Comparative Essay Rubric
Teacher Mark
Th
S# or D#
E# DC# A#
Basic Core Expectations (
max. 7 points ) Has an acceptable thesis
Addresses all parts of the question, though not necessarily evenly
or thoroughly [at least one S and one D] OR Addresses most parts of the question; for example, deals with differences but not similarities Substantiates thesis with at least 5 - 6 pieces of accurate historical evidence OR Partially substantiates thesis with at least 4 - 5 pieces of accurate historical evidence Makes at least TWO relevant, direct comparison between/among societies that is explicit and relevant
Analyzes at least one reason for a similarity or difference
identified in a direct comparison Extended Core Expectations ( max. 2 pts )
You must include
multiple extended core expectations to earn even one additional point.
Th+
Has a clear, analytical, and comprehensive thesis
GC
Addresses all parts of the question thoroughly (as relevant):
comparisons, chronology, causation, connections, themes, interactions, content Provides ample (8+ examples) historical evidence to substantiate thesis Relates comparisons to larger global context
DC+ A+
Pts
time frame/theme/region of the question)
= vague information (clear that the essay
understands the prompt, but commentary not specific enough to count as evidence)
Consistently makes several direct comparisons consistently between or among societies Consistently analyzes the causes and effects of relevant similarities and differences
